Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón

understanding_universe_large_surveys

Understanding the Universe through Large Scale Astronomical Surveys

Meeting on Understanding the Universe through Large Scale Astronomical Surveys

Description

This conference aims to bring together researchers working across the full spectrum of modern astronomical survey science. Its central goal is to explore how the most ambitious current and future surveys are reshaping key areas of astrophysics, and how synergies among these projects can build on their individual goals. It will be an ideal event to celebrate the significant personal and scientific contribution that Prof. Mariano Moles has made to this topic.

Rationale

Over the past decades, wide-field astronomical surveys have transformed our understanding of the Universe. By mapping the sky with unprecedented depth, precision, and temporal coverage, these surveys have shifted astronomy from an object-by-object discipline to a data-driven science capable of addressing fundamental questions about the origin, structure, and evolution of the cosmos. Today, surveys such as Euclid, Gaia, J-PAS/J-PLUS, DESI, SDSS, the VISTA/VST surveys, and the upcoming LSST at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory (among others) are producing -or will produce- massive datasets that probe a wide range of topics in Astrophysics, from the internal dynamics of the Milky Way to the nature of dark matter and energy on cosmological scales.

This conference, “Understanding the Universe through Large Scale Astronomical Surveys,” aims to bring together researchers working in the scientific exploitation or preparation of present and future surveys to debate how these challenging projects are reshaping key areas of astrophysics, and how synergies among them can benefit our knowledge and understanding of the Universe.

Among the core scientific themes are the Main Topics described below.

Cosmology: Characterisation of the large scale distribution of galaxies and the growth of structure over cosmic time. The study of the spatial modulation of the galaxy distribution, their peculiar velocities as triggered by Gravity, gravitational lensing and the most massive bound objects (galaxy clusters) as tools to unveil the nature of the most fundamental constituents of the Universe.
Galaxy Evolution: Wide-field surveys are transforming our understanding of how galaxies form, grow, and quench across cosmic time. By combining deep imaging and large spectroscopic samples, these surveys reveal how internal processes—such as star formation and AGN feedback—interact with external drivers like mergers, environment, and the cosmic web. Together, they provide an unprecedented view of how nature and nurture shape galaxy populations throughout the Universe.
Mapping the Milky Way: Precise astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy are enabling us to reconstruct the Galaxy’s assembly history, its stellar populations, and its gravitational potential.

A crucial theme of this meeting is synergy. No single survey can capture all aspects of the Universe; each brings its own strengths in depth, area, wavelength coverage, spatial and temporal resolution, or astrometric precision. By integrating datasets across missions and facilities—space-based and ground-based, present and future—we can greatly enhance scientific return. Cross-calibration between surveys can improve photometric accuracy; combining astrometry with deep imaging can link local structures to their cosmological context; and joint analyses can reduce systematics that limit cosmological measurements.

Furthermore, the emerging era of petabyte-scale data requires new methodologies in statistics, machine learning, and data-driven discovery. This conference will provide a platform to discuss these developments and to foster collaborations that exploit the full potential of the survey landscape.

In addition, this conference carries a special significance: we will recognize the contribution in this topic of Prof. Mariano Moles, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in the creation of the Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón (CEFCA) and the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ), a unique and dedicated facility located in Teruel for conducting wide-field astronomical surveys like J-PAS and J-PLUS.

In summary, Understanding the Universe through Large Astronomical Surveys seeks to highlight the transformative role of large datasets in modern astrophysics and to promote the collaborative, multi-survey approaches that are essential to addressing the most profound questions about our Universe. Through open discussion and shared expertise, this meeting aims to build a coherent vision for the next decade of survey science.

Scientific Organizing Committee

Alberto Fernández-Soto (IFCA-CSIC, Santander)
Alfonso López-Aguerri (IAC, Tenerife)
Bianca Poggianti (INAF-OAPd, Padova)
Carlos Hernández-Monteagudo (IAC, Tenerife)
Carlos López-SanJuan (CEFCA, Teruel)
Isabel Márquez (IAA-CSIC, Granada)
Javier Cenarro (CEFCA, Teruel)
Raul Angulo (DIPC, Donostia)
Silvia Bonoli (DIPC, Donostia)
Vanessa Hill (OCA, Nice)
Vicent Martínez (UV, Valencia)

Local Organizing Committee

Ana López (CEFCA)
Antonio Hernán-Caballero (CEFCA)
Inés Muñoz (CEFCA)
Javier Lizaga (CEFCA)
Luisa Valdivielso (CEFCA; Chair)
Sayali Kulkarni (CEFCA)
Stefano Zarattini (CEFCA)
Stylianos Pyrzas (CEFCA)
Tamara Civera (CEFCA)

Code of Conduct

We aim to provide a harassment-free conference for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technological choices. Harassment of participants, in any form, will not be tolerated during the conference. Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, hotel or social event, including talks or online media.

If a conference participant engages in harassing or any of the aforementioned behaviors, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, or expulsion of the offender from the conference with no refund.

In case of an attendee wishes to report a violation of these guidelines, or wants to express any doubt or potential concern on this matter, he/she can confidently:

Send an email or talk to Luisa Valdivielso Casas (lval_at_cefca_dot_es), as Chair of the LOC, or
Contact any other member of the LOC/SOC.

LOC/SOC member badges will be a different color from those of other participants to facilitate identification if necessary

About Teruel

Teruel is located in central Spain, in the south of the Aragón region. The province is home to notable examples of Mudéjar architecture. The city of Teruel is a prime example of this architecture and was awarded the World Heritage Designation by the UNESCO. Other interesting destinations in the province are Albarracín, with its Arab fortress; Mora de Rubielos, which has one of the best conserved castles in Aragón; and Alcalá de la Selva, which is very popular for hikers due to its attractive landscapes. Truffle and local pork products (particularly the cured ham from Teruel) are highly recommended.

Tourist information about Teruel can be found on the Siente Teruel website.

Participants

Venue

The meeting will mainly take place at the 'Gobierno de Aragon' Local Government office building, otherwise known as "Edificio Carmelitas", located in Calle San Francisco 1, 44001. Access to this building is available from both Calle San Francisco or next to the Park by the Train Station. The building is in a very central location, with plenty of hotels and restaurants nearby.

The conference talks will be held at the Events Hall of the building (i.e. "Salon de Actos") on the 4th floor (at street level by Calle San Francisco), and the coffee breaks and registration will be held at the Wall room (Sala La Muralla), with access by the park next to the train station, on the ground floor. The photo of the building on this page was taken from the park.

Lunch during the meeting will be included in the registration fee. It will normally be served at the basement floor of the CEFCA headquarters, located at Plaza de San Juan 1, 44001, at 5 min walking distance from the Gobierno de Aragon Local Government office building. The photo below shows a picture of CEFCA headquarters taken from the center of Plaza de San Juan.

Additionally, in the morning of October 7th, the meeting will be held at Galáctica, the center for Outreach and Education in Astronomy of the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ), defined and constructed by CEFCA in the village of Arcos de las Salinas. Galáctica is 1h drive from Teruel. The conference organization will provide buses to take the participants to Galáctica and be back to Teruel by the end of the day. In the afternoon, after the conference sessions finish, there will be a free visit to the OAJ and to Galáctica for all the attendants.

Transportation & Travel Information

Nearby international airports and options to get to Teruel:

Teruel is located in the middle point between big cities such as Madrid (300 km), Barcelona (410 km), Valencia (140 km) and Zaragoza (180 km). It does not have an airport but can be easily reached from all the international hubs of these bigger cities. The available options for landing in Spain are, in order of increasing distance from Teruel:

Valencia: https://www.aeropuerto-valencia.com/
Zaragoza: https://www.aena.es/en/zaragoza.html
Madrid-Barajas: https://www.aeropuertomadrid-barajas.com/
Barcelona-El Prat: https://www.aeropuertobarcelona-elprat.com/

Once you are in one of these cities, you can easily reach Teruel either by bus, train or car. The options are listed below, in order of travel time. The parenthesis mark the approximate “effective travel time” (i.e. not counting stops or transfers between lines):

Plane flight to Valencia → then: car rental + car trip (1.5hr) / bus (2hr) / train (2.5hr)
Plane flight to Zaragoza → then: car rental + car trip (1.75hr) / bus (2hr) / train (2.5hr)
Plane flight to Madrid → then: bus (3-5hr) / train to Zaragoza + bus (4hr) / car rental + car trip (4.5hr) / train to Zaragoza + train to Teruel (4.5hr)
Plane flight to Barcelona → then: train to Zaragoza + bus (3-4hr) / car rental + car trip (4-5hr) / train to Zaragoza + train (4-54hr) / bus to Zaragoza + bus (5-6hr)

Below you can find details on all the possible paths and means of transportation which you can choose from either Valencia, Zaragoza, Madrid or Barcelona.

How to get from the airports to bus/train stations:

Valencia:

The Valencia bus station is located next to the “Turia” underground station (on line 1). In order to get to Turia station, take either underground line 3 (red line) or line 5 (green line) from the airport station (head of both lines) and transfer to line 1 (yellow line, directions “Bétera - Llíria - Paterna - Empalme”) at the Àngel Guimerà underground station.

Trains to/from Valencia leave the city from “Estació del Nord” station. In order to reach it from Valencia airport take line 3 (red line) and get off at “Xátiva” station. No transfers are needed.

Zaragoza:

Buses and trains to/from Zaragoza are both operated from the “Delicias” station. In order to reach the train/bus terminal from the airport you just need to take the 501 bus at Zaragoza airport, which is a direct line operating on the Airport - Estación Delicias route. No transfers are needed.

Madrid:

Buses leave Madrid only from “Madrid-Estacion Sur” bus station. To reach it from Madrid-Barajas airport it is necessary to take the metro line 8 (pink line direction ‘’Nuevos Ministerios’’), and change to line 6 (grey line direction ‘’Mendez Álvaro”) at ‘’Nuevos Ministerios’’ station.

Trains leave Madrid from “Atocha” train station. Take line 8 (pink line) from Madrid-Barajas airport (direction “Nuevos Ministerios”) and transfer to line 6 (grey line) in order to get to “Cuatro Caminos” station (1 stop away from “Nuevos Ministerios”). Transfer to line 1 (cyan line) direction “Valdecarros” and get off in “Atocha - RENFE” underground station.

Barcelona:

Buses and trains to/from Barcelona are both operated from “Barcelona - Estacion Nord” station. In order to reach it, take the “Aerobus” service from any terminal at Barcelona airport and transfer to the underground line 1 (direction “Fondo”) in the “plaza Espanya” station of Aerobus. The closest stop to “Barcelona - Estacion Nord” on line 1 is the “Arc de Trionf” underground station.

By Bus

Teruel bus station (website) | Ronda de Ambeles, s/n 44001 Teruel (España) | Tel. 978 610 789 | 24h Information: 671 304 178

From Valencia:

The company which connects Valencia to Teruel by bus is called IRB (International regular bus, website). Tickets for this trip can be booked at the company’s website. The trip takes approximately 2 hours.

From Zaragoza:

The bus company which connects Zaragoza to Teruel is called AUTOBUSES JIMENEZ (website). The trip can take either 2 hours or 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the particular hour selected in the bus schedule.

From Madrid:

The company which connects Teruel and Madrid by bus is called IRB (International regular bus, website). The trip can last from a minimum of 3 hours and 30 minutes, up to 5 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the particular hour selected.

From Barcelona:

The fastest option to reach Teruel from Barcelona by bus is to follow the itinerary Barcelona-Zaragoza-Teruel which includes a transfer in Zaragoza. Tickets for the Barcelona-Zaragoza section of the trip can be bought at the ALSA company website. The trip to Zaragoza takes more or less 3-4 hours. For information about the Zaragoza-Teruel section of the trip see the “From Zaragoza” point (above).

By train

All possible information about routes, schedules and reservations regarding trains from either Valencia, Zaragoza, Madrid or Barcelona can be found at the website of the spanish train company: Renfe.

General information to the customer: 902 320 320

Shopping Online Information: 902 109 420

The only two cities directly connected with Teruel by train are Zaragoza and Valencia. In both cases, the trip lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, as there is no high-speed route connecting Teruel to neither Zaragoza nor Valencia. In case you are planning to reach Teruel by train from Madrid you will have to transfer at Zaragoza whereas if you are planning to start from Barcelona you will need to change either at Valencia or Zaragoza. Tickets for both Valencia-Teruel and Zaragoza-Teruel itineraries are usually available 1-2 months before the travel date, whereas tickets for Barcelona-Zaragoza, Barcelona-Valencia and Madrid-Zaragoza routes are available with larger advance. We suggest you to check carefully the availability of the trip you intend to choose. All RENFE customer-care services and useful telephone numbers can be found here (SPANISH ONLY):

Customer Service: www.renfe.com/es/en

By Car

Teruel can be easily reached by car from either Zaragoza or Valencia, as the A-23 highway connecting Valencia to Zaragoza passes very close by Teruel. If you come from Madrid there are 2 possibilities: 1) all-highway paths or 2) itineraries including national roads. If you come from Barcelona you can pass by either Zaragoza or Valencia. More detailed information about the different itineraries can be found below, in order of increasing travel-time:

Valencia - Teruel (only-highways path, 1 hour 30 minutes)

From either Valencia airport or train station follow directions to the A-7 (or AP-7) higwhay (DIRECTION SAGUNT-CASTELLON-BARCELONA). Once on the A7/AP-7, follow the directions to Teruel (or A-23 highway, Autovia Mudéjar). To exit the A-23 highway, take the first exit available for Teruel (i.e “Teruel sur”). You will arrive in the city center after few kilometers of national road.

Zaragoza - Teruel (only-highways path, 1 hour 45 minutes)

From either the Zaragoza airport or train station follow the directions to the Z-40 highway (i.e the Zaragoza bypass which goes all around the city). From the Z-40 it’s very easy to converge to the A-23 highway (Autovia Mudéjar) which will take you directly to Teruel. Once you reach Teruel, take the exit for the city center (“Teruel - centro ciudad”, i.e. the second exit available). Car rental services are available both at Zaragoza train station and airport (see links below).

Madrid - Teruel (highways + national-roads path, 3 hours 30 minutes)

From either Madrid airport or train station follow directions to A-2 highway (direction Zaragoza). Once in “Alcolea del Pinar” follow the directions to N-211 national road - “Molina de Aragon - Teruel”. You will reach “Monreal del campo” and connect to the A-23 (direction Teruel) after 110 km. Once you reach Teruel, take the exit for the city center (“Teruel - centro ciudad”, i.e. the second exit available).

Madrid - Zaragoza - Teruel (only-highways path, 4 hours)

From either Madrid airport or train station follow directions to A-2 highway (direction Zaragoza). Once in Zaragoza follow the directions to Teruel (A-23 highway). You might have to take the Z-40 connecting highway before being able to get on the A-23. Once you reach Teruel, take the exit for the city center (“Teruel - centro ciudad”, i.e. the second exit available).

Barcelona - Castellon - Teruel (only-highways path, 4 hours 20 minutes)

From either Barcelona train station or airport converge to the AP-7 highway, direction: Tarragona - Castellon - Valencia. Once you reach the city of Sagunt, follow the directions to Teruel, A-23 highway (Autovia Mudéjar). To exit the A-23 highway, take the first exit available for Teruel (i.e “Teruel sur”). You will arrive in the city center after few kilometers of national road.

Barcelona - Zaragoza - Teruel (only-highways path, 4 hours 40 minutes)

From either Barcelona train station or airport converge to the A-2 highway (direction Lleida - Igualada - Fraga). Once you get to Fraga, follow the directions to AP-7 highway (direction Zaragoza). Once in Zaragoza follow the directions for Teruel, A-23 highway (you might have to take the Z-40 bypass which goes all around Zaragoza). Follow the A-23 until you reach Teruel and take the exit for the city center (“Teruel - centro ciudad”, i.e. the second exit available).

Car rental services are available in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza. Here are links to the websites of some diffuse car-rental companies:

AVIS (www.avis.es). Reservations Phone Number: 902 180 854
EUROPCAR (www.europcar.es). Reservations Phone Number: 902 105 055
HERTZ (www.hertz.es). General information and bookings telephone number: 902 402 405
SIXT (www.sixt.es). General information and bookings telephone number: 902 491 616

Visa

If you come from a country in the following list, you will need a visa in order to enter in Spain or any other European country:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong (when it is not SAR), India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

The starting point is the website of Spanish ministry of exterior:

English version: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/en/Paginas/inicio.aspx

Spanish version: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx

If the english versions does not appear, please select the language by clicking the “Welcome” button on the top of the page (in the spanish version).

Please, remember that since you will need a short term visa, you have to select the “Uniform Schengen Visa” link. Note: The Schengen visa is a document that can be obtained in any country that takes part of Schengen space (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein).

Understanding the Universe through Large Scale Astronomical Surveys

Description

Rationale

Invited speakers

Scientific Organizing Committee

Local Organizing Committee

Important Dates

Code of Conduct

About Teruel

Scientific Programme

Participants

Pre-registration & Abstract submission

Pre-registration & Abstract Submission >>

Registration

Social Events

Venue

Hotel Information

Transportation & Travel Information

Visa