Presentation
The Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC) is an institution at the forefront of scientific and technological research with the mission of contributing to the general advance of studies of the Cosmos.
The theme of the 8th Institute of Space Sciences Summer School will be Observational Cosmology, exploring the standard cosmological model and beyond in the era of massive galaxy surveys (Euclid, LSST, DESI, etc).
Dates: 7 July to 18 July, 2025
Location: Institute of Space Sciences (https://www.ice.csic.es/)
Registration / Key dates
Registration will be open from Mar 1 until Mar 31, 2025.
Selected participants with accommodation will be notified by Apr 11.
The registration fee for this school will be 100€ for cash payments, 135€ for wire transfers. The fee will cover the coffee breaks and the Summer School dinner event.
Cash payments will be collected on the first day of the school, Monday July 7, 2025.
Bank transfers will only be accepted until May 31, 2025. If payment is not received by this date after selecting bank transfer as your payment method, acceptance into the school will be revoked.
Selected participants will receive accommodation at the on-campus student residence, Vila Universitària UAB, in shared 2-person apartments.
Rationale
The field of observational cosmology is undergoing a transformative period, driven by the unprecedented precision and depth of data provided by the latest generation of galaxy surveys such as Euclid, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s LSST (Legacy Survey of Space and Time), and DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument). These projects are designed to unravel the mysteries of the universe by probing vast cosmic scales, enabling researchers to test the limits of current cosmological models and explore new physics beyond the standard framework of ΛCDM.
This summer school in Observational Cosmology is dedicated to equipping the next generation of scientists with the theoretical background, computational tools, and observational techniques necessary to fully harness the potential of these groundbreaking surveys. The focus will be on key areas that are critical to advancing our understanding of the cosmos:
- Supernova Cosmology – Understanding Type Ia supernovae as standard candles, which have been pivotal in the discovery of dark energy and continue to refine our understanding of cosmic expansion.
- Weak Gravitational Lensing – Studying the subtle distortions of galaxy images caused by dark matter, providing insights into the distribution of matter and the nature of dark energy.
- Galaxy Clustering – Analyzing the large-scale structure of the universe to test the predictions of cosmological models and measure key parameters, such as the rate of cosmic expansion and the growth of structure.
- Numerical Simulations and Galaxy Formation – Leveraging high-performance simulations to model the complex processes of galaxy formation, merger histories, and the evolution of cosmic structures across time.
- Beyond ΛCDM Models – Investigating alternative cosmological theories, such as modifications to general relativity, dark energy models, and other physics beyond the standard paradigm to address tensions and anomalies in current observations.
By focusing on these critical areas, the summer school aims to provide participants with a deep understanding of both the theoretical foundations and data analysis tools used in observational cosmology. Students will engage with real data from cutting-edge surveys, explore the latest advancements in numerical simulations, and confront open questions that challenge the boundaries of our understanding. This training is particularly timely, as the data from Euclid, LSST, and DESI are poised to reshape our understanding of the universe and its fundamental components.
The Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC) will welcome around 40 Master and Doctoral students to attend the Summer School, in which they will broaden their knowledge on Observational Cosmology as well as get in touch with the other research groups working at the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC).
Invited Lecturers
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Mathew Smith (University of Lancaster) (Topic: Supernova)
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Marika Asgari (Newcastle University) (Topic: Weak Lensing)
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Kazuya Koyama & Daniela Saadeh (University of Portsmouth) (Topic: Beyond ΛCDM)
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Alexander Eggemeier (University of Bonn) (Topic: Spectroscopic Clustering)
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Marcos Pellejero (The University of Edinburgh) (Topic: Numerical Simulations)
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Violeta Gonzalez (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) (Topic: Galaxy Formation)
Local and Scientific Organizing Committees
- SOC (alph.): Alex Alarcon, Francisco Castander, Martin Crocce, Pablo Fosalba, Lluís Galbany.
- LOC: TBD, Gisela Camacho,
- Logistics: Noemí Cortés
Organizing Institutions
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This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-MSCA-2021-SE-01 Research and Innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement number 101086388 - Project acronym: LACEGAL
