Cosmology and galaxy astrophysics with simulations and machine learning 2024
Invitation Only
Registration and abstract submission for the workshop closed on September 20, 2024.
Remote participation will be available via Zoom.
Further information regarding the workshop program and logistics will follow soon. Meanwhile, please feel free to send us any questions regarding the workshop.
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Current and upcoming experiments such as DES, DESI, LSST, Euclid, Roman, and SKA will provide an unprecedented volume of data to constrain the value of the fundamental cosmological parameters and improve our understanding of galaxy evolution across cosmic time. However, maximizing the scientific output of extragalactic surveys requires overcoming substantial challenges: (1) the optimal summary statistic for extracting the maximum amount of cosmological information is unknown for the non-Gaussian fields observed in most surveys, (2) a large amount of cosmological information is out of reach on scales that are significantly affected by galaxy formation physics, and (3) uncertainties in astrophysical processes such as the impact of feedback from massive stars and supermassive black holes, which limit the predictive power of galaxy formation models, are represented by a large number of parameters in various sub-grid models that are not well characterized and understood.
The emergence of powerful machine learning methods provides new approaches to extracting information from data. Trained on large sets of cosmological N-body simulations such as AbacusSummit, Aemulus, DarkQuest, and Quijote, neural networks can search through all possible summary statistics to extract cosmological information at the field level and provide tighter constraints on the value of the cosmological parameters compared to traditional inference from power spectra. Meanwhile, large-volume cosmological hydrodynamic simulations such as IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, ASTRID, HorizonAGN, SIMBA, and FLAMINGO provide the framework to model explicitly the impact of baryonic physics on galaxy formation and large-scale structure, enabling machine learning applications to improve galaxy-halo models and emulate hydrodynamic effects on top of N-body simulations.
Recently, the Cosmology and Astrophysics with MachinE Learning Simulations (CAMELS) project has taken a step further by providing thousands of cosmological hydrodynamic simulations with different implementations of baryonic physics and systematic variations of uncertain feedback parameters to train machine learning models that can (1) maximize the extraction of cosmological information while marginalizing over uncertainties in galaxy formation physics, (2) emulate baryonic properties such as the galaxy-halo connection and the large-scale distribution of matter conditioned on astrophysical parameters, and (3) explore the vast space of cosmological and astrophysical parameters and their non-linear interactions governing galaxy evolution.
Following numerous recent results and major public data releases in this field, the goal of this workshop is to bring a diverse community together to (1) review the current state of the use of cosmological simulations and machine learning to address major challenges in galaxy evolution and cosmology, (2) discuss future plans to support upcoming surveys, and (3) foster the exchange of ideas and new collaborations. This workshop will include a mix of invited presentations, contributed talks, and ample discussion time, along with breakout sessions for more in-depth collaborations. The workshop is intended for anyone interested in these topics, whether you are already directly involved in a major collaboration in this field, intend to use public data released as part of projects such as those mentioned above, or are considering starting new activities in this growing field.
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- Registration and abstract submission for the workshop closed on September 20, 2024.
- There is no registration fee for this workshop. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be generously provided by the Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA), the Flatiron Institute, and the Simons Foundation, which are hosting the workshop.
- Workshop participants are welcome to stay on Friday for unstructured collaboration time and interaction with CCA members and other workshop participants.
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Shy Genel, Ph.D.
Flatiron Institute
Francisco Villaescusa-Navarro, Ph.D.
Flatiron Institute
Daniel Anglés-Alcázar, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Matt Ho, Ph.D.
IAP / Columbia University
Carolina Cuesta-Lazaro, Ph.D.
CfA / MIT
Boryana Hadzhiyaska, Ph.D.
UC Berkeley
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Simeon Bird, UC Riverside
Carolina Cuesta-Lazaro, CfA / MIT
Laurence Levasseur, Université de Montréal
Christopher Lovell, University of Portsmouth
Daisuke Nagai, Yale University
Yueying Ni, CfA
Paul Torrey, University of Virginia
Benjamin Wandelt, IAP / CCA / JHU -
Events Contact
Cristina Duncan,
[email protected]SOC
Shy Genel, Ph.D.
Francisco Villaescusa-Navarro, Ph.D.
Daniel Anglés-Alcázar, Ph.D.
Matt Ho, Ph.D.
Carolina Cuesta-Lazaro, Ph.D.
Boryana Hadzhiyaska, Ph.D.
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Health Protocols
By entering our buildings, all guests implicitly attest to being symptom/COVID-19 free. If you do not feel well or are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 please do not attend the meeting.
If you are an out-of-town guest and must cancel your trip, please reach out to Cristina Duncan at [email protected].
Entry & Building Access
On Monday, all guests will be required to show their photo ID to access the Simons Foundation offices.
The next day(s), all guests will be required to show their name badge to gain entry to the office. If you forget your name badge, you will need to provide a photo ID again.
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The open exchange of ideas, freedom of thought and expression, and respectful scientific debate are central to the mission of the Simons Foundation and the Flatiron Institute. These ideals require a community that recognizes and respects the inherent worth of every person.
Event attendees are required to observe all rules of decorum and show respect for all others present, as befits any professional setting. Conduct that is disruptive, causes discomfort or stress to others, or is highly unusual or disrespectful is grounds for removal from the premises at the Simons Foundation’s discretion.
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• Repeated and/or sustained disruption of talks or other events;
• Behavior that interferes with another’s full participation;
• Sexual harassment, unwelcome sexual attention, stalking, harassing, photographing or recording, inappropriate physical contact.
Those in violation of this Code of Conduct may be subject to immediate action ranging from dismissal from a meeting or event to permanent barring from the Simons Foundation and the Flatiron Institute, as determined on a case-by-case basis by our representatives or leadership.
Adherence to this Code of Conduct is expected of all staff, visitors and conference participants. The code applies both to in-person behaviors and behavior during use of any other communication channels related to the Simons Foundation or Flatiron Institute, including social media. In addition, the code requires all staff, visitors and participants to respect requests for confidentiality during scientific talks.
We believe our Code of Conduct is essential to the success of our mission. Mutual respect for one another will stimulate our best impulses and performance.
If you have any questions, or want to report a violation of this code, please email: [email protected].