Decrypting the Universe -- Large Surveys for Cosmology

Second Announcement

Scope of workshop

A key challenge for observational cosmology is to characterize the nature of dark energy, the dominant component in our universe. Several surveys through which its profound nature can be studied are already underway or being planned. These cover both ground-based and space-borne experiments, ranging from supernovae, weak-lensing, large-scale structure and cluster abundance measurements at different redshifts.

The aim of the workshop is to bring together specialists from all frontiers of survey cosmology, covering theory, analysis and instruments, with particular emphasis on synergies between the various approaches. The goal after all is to decrypt the content of the Universe, which also requires a deep understanding of the link between mass and light. Therefore the objective is to cover not only methods to uncover the essence of dark energy, but also relevant dark matter, gravity and galaxy formation theories and observations. The discussion will consider recent survey results, near-term prospects of on-going projects, followed by an examination of how more ambitious and long-term plans may best address these issues.

Programme

The current programme is now available: Programme of Events.

Time

The workshop starts at 10:30 on Wednesday October 24th and finishes in the afternoon of the 26th.

Registration

The registration fee is £50, which includes daily lunches, tea and coffee, the conference dinner, a conference pack and organized transportation between the hotels and the ROE.

For those requiring a separate billing for the conference dinner, a registration fee of £35 will be collected, and a separate charge of £15 for the (heavily subsidised) dinner can be made.

Please register here.

Social events

On Wednesday evening, participants of the workshop have the opportunity to enjoy a public lecture by Prof. David Spergel (Princeton University) at the National Gallery. On Thursday evening, the social program starts with a historic tour at Mary King's Close, followed by the conference dinner.

Accommodation: guest houses

A limited number of rooms have been held at the following guest houses and hotels for the ROE WORKSHOP 2007. Booking can start immediately however, the rates below are only available until MONDAY 24 SEPTEMBER. To obtain the quoted rates below, please contact the guest houses/hotels by phone, with the reference number shown.

Transport will be arranged to/from the accommodation listed below to the Workshop.

Lauderville Guest House
52 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2NH
B&B - £40-£60 for single occupancy - (mix of accommodation single/double rooms)
Telephone +44(0)131 667 7788 and quote ROE2007.
http://www.laudervilleguesthouse.co.uk

The Sylvern
22 West Mayfield
B&B - £38 double room for single occupancy £70 for double occupancy.
Telephone July Dinse on +44 (0)131 667 1241 Mobile: 0774 006 2844 and quote ROE2007.
http://www.scotland2000.com/sylvern

21 West Mayfield
4* B&B - £36 double room for single occupancy £63 double occupancy.
WIFI free of charge.
Telephone Lorette on +44 (0)131 668 2148 and quote ROE2007.
(not on web)

Please have a look at this webpage for more accomodation opportunities, where "Lower end prices" correspond to "up to £40", "Mid-range" to "up to £80", and "Upper" "more than £80". Typically, the price for a B&B is at least £25.

Accommodation: hotels

APEX INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Executive double rooms £124/Standard double rooms £99 B&B single occupancy, £134/£109 for double occupancy.
Please phone 0845 365 0000 and quote UKA2310.
http://www.apexhotels.co.uk/hotels/edinburgh-international

BOROUGH HOTEL
72-80 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PY
Rate per room B&B £85.
Telephone 44 (0) 131 558 2255 and quote ROE2007.
http://www.boroughhotel.com

BEST WESTERN BRUNTSFIELD HOTEL
69 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HH
Standard double room - £77 B&B for single occupancy £110 for double occupancy.
Telephone +44 (0) 131 229 1393 and quote ROE2007.
http://www.thebruntsfield.co.uk

TEN HILL PLACE
10 Hill Place, Edinburgh EH8 9DS
Standard Executive double room £69/Superior room £89 B&B double room for single occupancy, £94/£114 double occupancy.
Please phone +44 (0)131 662 2080 and quote L498015.
http://www.tenhillplace.com

KILDONAN LODGE HOTEL
27 Craigmillar Park, Newington, Edinburgh EH16 5PE
£65 double room for single occupancy B&B.
Phone +44 (0) 131 667 2793 and quote ROE2007.
http://www.kildonanlodgehotel.co.uk

Local organising committee:
A. Heavens, R. Ivison, A. Nicol, P. Norberg (chair), P. Simon, F. Simpson and A. Taylor.

Scientific organising committee:
A. Heavens (chair), R. Ellis, A. Ferguson, J. Peacock, D. Spergel and Y. Suto