? X-ray Cosmology conference 2016


We would like to thank the Culture Sector of the Regional Government of South Aegean and the Municipality of Mykonos for their active support and their contribution towards the success of the conference

The conference took place in the impressive 5 star hotel Saint John.


Scientific Committee

C. Adami (LAM/Pytheas), M. Birkinshaw (Univ. Bristol), A. Evrard (Univ. Michigan), C. Horellou (Obs.Onsala), A. Iovino (INAF-OAB, Brera), C. Lidman (AAO, Epping), S. Maurogordato (Obs. Nice), L. Moscardini (Univ. Bologna), S. Paltani (Univ. Geneva), M. Pierre (CEA Saclay), M. Plionis (Univ. Thessaloniki), H. Rottgering (Obs. Leiden), V. Smolcic (Zagreb Univ.), J. Surdej (Univ. Liege), C. Vignali (Univ. Bologna), J. Willis (Univ. Victoria)

Invited Speakers

Invited speakers include, D. Alexander, A. Finoguenov, I. Georgantopoulos, R. Hickox, M. Jarvis, I. McCarthy, A. Mantz, J.B. Melin, Y. Mellier, A. Muzzin, E. Rozo

Rationale

The cosmic web formed by the large-scale structure of the Universe is a subject of intense study covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum.  The evolution of cosmic structure is uniquely relevant for cosmological studies as it reveals the the physics of gravitational growth since the big bang.  Hot and energetic extragalactic sources, namely clusters of galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN), play a key role as tracers of deep gravitational potentials and revel many aspects of gravitational physics.
Galaxy clusters and AGN are luminous sources of energetic X-ray photons and X-ray observations provide a highly effective means of identifying such sources.  Since the launch of the Chandra and XMM-Newton observatories in 1999, our knowledge of clusters and AGN out to cosmological distances has been transformed.  This period has also witnessed great advances in the scale and complexity of numerical simulations of galaxy clusters and supermassive black holes - from the details of individual systems to their cosmological context.

The community is currently facing the challenge of applying large surveys of galaxy clusters and AGN as precision probes of our cosmological model.

Considering the probable extension of the XMM mission for another twelve years, the meeting aims at (1) a review of the state-of-the art studies of the cosmic web, as revealed in X-rays in partnership with observations across the entire electromagnetic spectrum; (2) providing a framework to discuss holistic pictures of structure formation with the aid of numerical simulations; (3) exploring the scientific potential and feasibility of future extra-large, community-based surveys with XMM.
One of the meeting highlights will be the presentation of recent results from the XXL survey, the largest XMM programme undertaken to date (6 Ms ­ 2x25 sq. deg. - with some 500 clusters of galaxies and 25,000 AGNs).
The meeting will adopt a workshop format allowing for focused presentations, round-table discussions and free time for informal discussions.

Topics

1.  Cluster of Galaxies selection from X-ray to Radio

2. The physical evolution of galaxy clusters; scatter and covariance in scaling relations.

3. Weighing the groups

4. Galaxy clusters as a cosmological probe

5. Galaxy clusters at z>1: the emergence of massive virialised structures from the cosmic web.

6.  The impact of simulations: How well are models constrained by the current cluster and AGN observations?

7. Cosmology and Large-Scale Structure with AGN

8. AGN demography, evolution and triggering mechanisms

9. AGN obscuration

10. Large scale structures in the X-ray Background

11. Coordinating XMM observations with other large-survey instruments 

12. Legacy and reference data sets for the EUCLID, eRosita and Athena missions


Local Organizing Committee

A. Akylas

S. Basilakos

I. Georgantopoulos

E. Koulouridis

M. Plionis (Chair)

T. Sadibekova

A. Theodorakakos

M. Chira

Registration fees

The early conference registration fee is 250€ (until May 15th, 2016), while the late fee is 300€. This includes a welcome reception, coffee breaks, the conference material and a guided tour to the sacred Delos island, an UNESCO world heritage site. The cost to participate to the conference dinner is 30€ and it is payable during registration. A deduced fee of 150€ may be available to Ph.D. students upon request. The applicants should provide the name of their supervisor and thesis title before the 15th of April 2016. Requests can be made using our online contact form.