Logo

The logo of CASTLE resembles a heraldic coat of arms. The field of the escutcheon (shield) is party per cross (divided into four quarters), each of them carrying a charge (image or symbol) exemplifying a type of instrument used to observe the cosmos. To represent the synergic effort that inspired CASTLE, counter-clockwise from top right we have: an antenna, for low-frequency radio observations; a dish, for other radio frequencies and microwaves; a telescope, for infrared to ultraviolet wavelenghts; and a satellite, for the X-ray and the gamma-ray energy bands.

The mural crown above the shield in fact reproduces the skyline of the village of Tagliolo, with the Castle's 30 m tall IXth century main tower at the centre, the gate and the parish curch bell tower.

Around the shield, two vine branches—epitomising the winemaking vocation of the area—and a banderole—displaying, instead the usual motto, the conference acronym—form the shape of a 'U', standing for 'Universe'.

The logo of CASTLE has been manifactured by Eleonora Casetta, an illustrator and graphic designer from Turin (Italy), whose husband happens to be Stefano Camera.

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CASTLE – Cosmological and Astrophysical Synergies: Tactics for the Latest Era

Manifesto

A new era for cosmology has come: in the very near future, a new generation of experiments will push our gaze at the Universe deeper than ever, carrying out observations across the whole electromagnetic spectrum—not to speak of the new ‘ear’ just opened by gravitational-wave astronomy. Satellites, surveys and telescopes such as the SKA, Stage IV CMB experiments, Euclid, DESI, LSST, e-ROSITA, Athena+, e-ASTROGAM, CTA, and Advanced LIGO/VIRGO and LISA will soon provide us with data of unparalleled accuracy. This represents a change of paradigm with respect to the way cosmological data has been collected and analysed so far. In particular, this will open unprecedented opportunities best to exploit synergies among the most varied cosmological and astrophysical observables. This is how CASTLE sees the light of day, as a chance to bring together scientists envisaging to exploit such new synergies, with an aim at planning the strategy for the new era.

Scientific Board

Stefano Camera, Chair (Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy)
David Bacon (University of Portsmouth, UK)
Jens Chluba (The University of Manchester, UK)
Tamara Davis (The University of Queensland, Australia)
Antonaldo Diaferio (Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy)
Silvia Galli (Institute d'Astrophysique de Paris, France)
Luigi Guzzo (Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy)
Mário Santos (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)

Code of Conduct

We are committed to making this conference productive and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, nationality, or religion. We shall not tolerate discrimination or harassment of participants in any form. We ask that you follow these guidelines:

1. Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments or jokes are not appropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. It also includes offensive comments related to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, or religion.
2. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual or sexist language and imagery is not appropriate.
3. Be considerate and respectful to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Critique ideas rather than individuals.

Announcement

The first announcement of CASTLE can be found here.

Programme

The scientific activities of CASTLE will consist of 2 full days plus 1 morning, summing up to a total of 5 ~3.5-hour sessions. Specifically, the 5 sessions will cover the whole rainbow of electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays. Each session will focus on the state of the art, the future and possible synergies for cosmology (and astrophysics/astroparticle physics) in a given band of the spectrum.

A review talk will open each session, followed by 2-3 scientific talks; after a coffee break, the session will continue with a discussion, lead and moderated by the speakers of 4 warm-up talks—short presentations, whose aim is to spark the discussion by proposing hot topics, or new ideas, that well represent cutting edge research in the science field that specific session refers to.

Confirmed Review Speakers

Nicolao Fornengo: High-energy cosmology
Ben Granett: Cosmology with optical/near-IR spectroscopic surveys
Alan Heavens: Cosmology with optical/near-IR imaging surveys
Roy Maartens: Cosmology at radio frequencies
Joe Mohr: Cosmology with X-ray surveys

Scientific Programme

The final programme of the meeting is available here.

For the participants of CASTLE who are also part of the SKA Cosmology SWG, the next annual face-to-face Cosmology SWG meeting to be held on 13th-14th September 2018 at the Physics Department of the University of Turin (Italy). We invite all members of the Cosmology SWG to attend the meeting, in person or via remote participation. We are planning to incorporate a few overview talks, brief updates by the Focus Group (FG) leaders, FG break-out discussion sessions, and a session dedicated to SKA Cosmology science talks by students and early career researchers. We expect the meeting to end around lunch time on 14th September. Please fill in the dedicated registration form, even if you plan to attend remotely.

Social Activity Programme

The meeting will include the following social activities, open to both the participants and the accompanying persons:

• A welcome reception, on Sunday evening, when all participants will have got to the venue;
• An informal buffet dinner, on Monday, with woodfire pizza and farinata, and other freshly baked specialties;
• On Tuesday evening, a tour of the cellars of the Castle, whose owners have been winemakers since the XVth century, comprising a wine tasting;
• The meeting social dinner, on Tuesday, following the cellar tour and the wine tasting.

Logistics

Registration

After receiving the invitation to CASTLE, please proceed to finalising your registration by filling in the registration form.

Venue

CASTLE will be held from 9th to 12th September 2018 in the (guess what?) castle of the small, medieval village of Tagliolo Monferrato, located in High Montferrat, part of the UNESCO World-Heritage site 'Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato'.

Here is a map of the vicinity of the venue, highlighting the hotels/B&Bs most of you will be staying in, and a couple of parking lots for those travelling by car. Regarding accommodation solutions, the map colour code is: green for locations within walking distance to the venue; yellow for those served by the conference minibus (one ride in the morning and one after dinner); and blue for those hosting people with their own cars.

Transports

Transports to and fro between Turin and/or Milan airport(s) and the meeting venue will be organised, such that participants will meet in situ on the afternoon of Sunday, 9th September, and will leave straight after lunch on Wednesday, 12th September.

Meals

At the cost of ~€200-250 per participant, all meals will be catered to the venue. This includes breakfasts (for those staying in the Castle), lunches, dinners, and all coffee breaks (not for accompanying persons). A €50 discount is applied for accompanying persons.

Contact Form

Or just send a message to: stefano dot camera at unito dot it

Participants

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