Please submit your abstract by the 16th of January 2026
and register by the 16th of February 2026.
This international workshop will bring together experts to explore the synergy between cutting-edge scientific research and advanced astronomical instrumentation. Hosted at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE), the workshop is jointly organised by the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) and Edinburgh University’s Institute for Astronomy.
The workshop will focus on the intersection of science and instrumentation. The workshop will bring together the first science results from ERIS, a state-of-the-art near-infrared instrument delivered to the ESO/VLT in 2023, and bridge them with the forthcoming transformational capabilities to be provided by the UK-led HARMONI instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope.
Developed at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK/ATC), the ERIS imager “NIX” currently delivers diffraction-limited imaging on an 8-meter-class telescope with sensitivity up to 5 microns, while HARMONI will provide diffraction limit imaging and spectroscopy for the first time on a 40-meter-class telescope, reaching 5-times better spatial resolution than JWST. These facilities combined enable researchers across the world to tackle a wide range of modern scientific challenges, from solar system exploration to exoplanet studies and galaxy formation.
The workshop will bring together the international community using (or planning to use) these facilities, highlighting the importance in delivering state-of-the-art ground-based astronomical instrumentation.
Cyrielle Opitom (IfA)
Oscar Gonzalez (UK ATC)
Romeel Davé (IfA)
William Taylor (UK ATC)
Beth Biller (IfA)
Nina Altendorf (UK ATC)
Ben Sutlieff (IfA)
Bradley Frank (UK ATC)
Please submit your abstract by the 16th of January 2026
and register by the 16th of February 2026.
16th of January 2026
16th of February 2026
16th to the 18th of March 2026
Edinburgh is well-served for accommodation. Please see the
for suggestions.
The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh is situated on Blackford Hill, to the south of the city, and should not be confused with the pre-1893 Royal Observatory (or City Observatory) on Calton Hill. The Royal Observatory is sign-posted from the Cameron Toll roundabout, Mayfield Road and Blackford Avenue.
Edinburgh's principal railway station, Edinburgh Waverley (EDB), is well placed on the UK rail network and is served by a number of rail operators. It is conveniently located in the heart of the city.
Taxi
The taxi rank is on Market Street, follow signs in station. A black cab will cost around £12-£15 and should take around 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bus
See below for details about buses from the city centre.
From Cameron Toll Shopping Centre: (bus + 20 minute walk)
Many buses regularly travel from the City Centre to Cameron Toll Shopping Centre including the 3, 8, 12, 24, 29, 31, 33, 37 and 37A. Alight at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre. Walk west (left) on Lady Road. Cross the Craigmillar junction and continue walking on Esslemont Road. Go straight across to West Mains Road. Continue walking until you come to Observatory Road on your left. Go through the red sandstone archway and continue to the top of the hill.
From Blackford Avenue: (bus + 10 to 15 minute walk)
Take the 24 from Princes Street or the 41 from the Mound (Art Galleries) in Edinburgh’s City Centre and alight at Blackford Station. Walk along the second half of Blackford Avenue (away from the City Centre) until you reach the red sandstone archway at the bottom of Observatory Road. Turn right and climb the hill. Every half hour the 41 continues up the second half of Blackford Avenue to Kings Buildings so you can alight close to the red sandstone arch.
Additional buses
Service 38: Connects the Royal Observatory and King's Buildings (stops on West Mains Road) with Morningside, Gorgie and the Balgreen tram stop (providing a convenient connection to Edinburgh airport that avoids the city centre).
Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.
A journey to the ROE takes about 20–30 minutes (longer at peak times).
Leave the airport and join the A8 heading for Edinburgh. Proceed along this road until you reach the Gogar roundabout. Turn right onto the A720 city bypass southbound. Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.
Tram
A tram service connects Edinburgh Airport with the city centre, running at least every 10 minutes from early morning until late night. Get off at Princes Street and then catch the number 9 bus on Hanover Street direct to King's Buildings campus or ROE, see below for more details.
Two alternative tram connections avoiding the city centre - get off the tram at Balgreen and take bus number 38 to West Mains Road or ROE, or get off the tram at Haymarket and take bus number 12 to Mayfield Road.
Bus
Airlink 100 runs from the airport terminal to the city centre. This is a limited-stop express bus running every 10 minutes, 24 hours per day. Get off the bus at the final stop then walk to Hanover Street and take bus number 9 direct to King's Building campus or ROE, see below for more details.