14 – 16 May 2019
In this workshop we will provide an introduction to gravitational-wave Bayesian parameter estimation, with specific focus on the PyCBC Inference toolkit. PyCBC Inference is a python-based parameter estimation tool for gravitational wave astronomy. It has been used in several publications to date, involving both multimessenger astrophysics, and tests of general relativity.
The goal of the workshop is to provide attendees with an understanding of the principles of gravitational-wave Bayesian parameter estimation and hands-on knowledge of PyCBC Inference. This will allow the attendees to be able to use this toolkit for a variety of analyses that they might want to perform on gravitational-wave data, whether using proprietary LIGO/Virgo data, or public data from GWOSC. The workshop will mix traditional presentations with hands-on tutorials, and will have time reserved for small-group hackathons. Topics covered will be:
- Introduction to parameter estimation in gravitational-wave astronomy.
- Overview of stochastic sampling techniques, including tests of convergence and practical considerations.
- How to adapt the code for your project.
- Parallelization and optimization techniques.
For more details see the program page
There is no registration fee for the workshop. For information about registration accommodation and travel, please see below.
Organizing team
Collin Capano (collin.capano@aei.mpg.de) is arranging the scientific content of this workshop. Please contact Collin for any questions on this aspect.
Ian Harry (ian.harry@port.ac.uk) is arranging the local organizational details. Please contact Ian for any questions on this aspect.
Registration
There is no fee for this workshop, but please do register so that we arrange a suitable room (it is exam period in Portsmouth, so we cannot just move to a larger room). To register please use this link:
Accommodation
Portsmouth is a moderate-size city in the UK. Everything is reasonably compact around the centre so most things are within walking distance. For reference we are situated at the Dennis Sciama building on Burnaby Road (type into Google Maps to see).
We generally recommend visitors use the Ibis Portsmouth Centre, which is quite comfortable, offers breakfast, and is a short walk from here and close to restaurants. But feel free to use your hotel finder of choice!
Travel
If travelling from within the UK then most likely the train is easiest. Portsmouth and Southsea train station is in the middle of Portsmouth and easy walk to the accommodation options and our building.
If travelling from within Europe then look for flights into Southampton or London Gatwick airports. The former takes flights from Air France/KLM, and the latter is one of the largest EasyJet hubs. From either of these airports you can take a train (either directly or with a simple connection) to Portsmouth. Use the http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ website to figure out train times (you can normally buy a flexible fair to avoid problems if planes are delayed).
If travelling from outside of Europe you have two choices.
OPTION 1: fly into London Heathrow, which is very well connected and will probably be cheaper if a direct flight, but is not so easily connected to Portsmouth. As above, the nationalrail website will help to find connections to Portsmouth, but the “Heathrow bus” terminal can be used, which is a bus to, normally, Woking, and then a train from there. The Heathrow bus option will *not* show if selecting Heathrow all terminals. This is quicker and cheaper than travelling through London (which involves swapping at Paddington and using the Tube to get to Victoria/Waterloo). (As a note this method is also effective when travelling to other places in the UK, e.g. Cardiff).
OPTION 2: Fly to Paris/Amsterdam/(other hubs??) and get a connecting flight to Southampton, or even Gatwick. This will be a bit more expensive for the flight, but is a simpler connection to Portsmouth.
Venue
We will be hosting the workshop in the “Future Technology Center” http://www2.port.ac.uk/realising-the-vision/major-projects/future-technology-centre/. We have the first floor of the building (remember that ground floor is floor 0 in the UK) to use for the workshop, including some breakout space if people want to have separate discussions.
Please see here for more details of how to find the venue:
https://github.com/gwastro/PyCBCInferenceWorkshopMay2019/wiki/Venue
Code of conduct
The workshop will be run according to the ICG’s code of conduct http://www.icg.port.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ICGcodeofconductposter.pdf. We would ask participants to read over this to help ensure that the workshop is friendly and welcoming to all participants.
