The Spitzer Science Center will host its annual science conference in November 2005. This year's topic will be IR Diagnostics of Galaxy Evolution. A wealth of new data in the past few years has dramatically extended earlier results in this wavelength regime. The conference will focus on what has been learned from Spitzer programs and complementary results from other ground and space observatories.

The mid-infrared properties of starbursts are shaped primarily by dust and organic molecules - including PAHs, silicates, and ices. How do these properties vary as a function of bolometric luminosity and spectral energy distribution? One of the main goals of the workshop is to use empirical IR data (spectra and photometry) to study the physical conditions and evolution of starformation in galaxies out to high redshift. Topics of particular interest will be:

• metallicity and dust composition,
  
• age and stellar mass,
• the spectral shape and strength of the local ionizing flux,
• dynamical events and triggers (mergers/shocks/starbursts),
• formation and destruction of organic molecules and dust.
  

In addressing these questions, the conference will explore galaxy evolution in the context of Spitzer and other IR diagnostics.

---

• First Announcement
• Instructions for submitting proceedings, deadline March15th 2006.