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1. Meeting location and practical information
2. How to reach us
3. Accommodations
4. Program
5. Participants
6. Presentations1. Meeting location and practical information
The fall 2006 RAVE collaboration meeting will be held at the Astronomical Institute of the University of Basel in Binningen. A map showing the location of the institute and its surroundings can be found here. Our institute is located in Venusstrasse 7 in Binningen (marked by the word "Sternwarte" next to the buildings indicated in red on the map).
Our seminar room is equipped with a projector for laptops and an overhead projector. A decision on whether we may install WLAN connections for the meeting is pending. Should the university not grant permission, then we will make available a limited number of ethernet connections in the seminar room; additional terminals and ethernet connections will be available in our main building.
Switzerland is not part of the European Union and has its own currency, the Swiss Franc. While credit cards are widely accepted, it is advisable to carry at least small amounts of cash, e.g., in order to pay for a snack or for public transport. Money can be changed at airports and at the larger train stations, at banks, and in hotels (where the rates may be less advantageous). For current rates, you may wish to use a currency converter (e.g., OANDA).
As most European countries, Switzerland uses a voltage of 220 to 230 V. The three-pronged Swiss plugs are essentially unique world-wide (see electricity world standards and look for Type J plugs). You will thus require a simple adapter unless your travel appliances are equipped with ungrounded europlugs, which usually fit into Swiss sockets. Adapters can be purchased at most airports.
Switzerland has four official languages. Basel and Binningen are located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, but also French is widely understood and spoken here (also in part due to the proximity to France). Though not one of the official languages, most people speak English as well.
Of course you are very welcome to stay on after the meeting. For instance, you may want to explore the many museums that Basel has to offer. The Swiss railway system permits you to get to many interesting tourist locations.
2. How to reach us
The Astronomical Institute of the University of Basel is located in Binningen, which is a smaller town adjacent to (and in part merged with) Basel. When giving the institute's address (Venusstrasse 7) to a taxi driver please make sure that you specify that it is located in Binningen (not Basel).
Train connections:
You can find connections and time tables using rail servers such as the Swiss rail server. Please enter "Basel SBB" as your destination. Basel SBB is Basel's main train station. With the exception of small regional trains that are marked by a yellow sticker with an eye symbol and the word "Selbstkontrolle", you can purchase tickets in the train from the conductor. These tickets are slightly more expensive than tickets purchased by credit card from a ticket vending machine in the train station or from a ticket counter.Flight connections:
A taxi from the Basel SBB to the institute takes about 10 min and costs between CHF 15 and 20 depending on traffic. Walking to the institute from the train station takes between 15 and 20 min. A more detailed description of how to get from the train station to the institute is provided here. On the map, the train station is marked by the words "Bahnhof SBB".
If you want to go to Hotel Schlüssel from the train station using public transport, choose streetcar number 10 (direction Rodersdorf or Flüh). Hotel Schlüssel is located between the tram stops "Binningen Oberdorf" and "Binningen"; the former stop may be slightly closer (see map). The ride takes about 12 min and costs CHF 3.00 (1 zone). A time table can be downloaded here by clicking on "Bahnhof SBB" in the line numbered 47. Tickets have to be bought before boarding the tram. There are a number of green ticket vending machines outside of the train station, some of which accept Euro coins. In streetcars and in busses all stops are announced via loudspeaker and on an overhead display.
I would recommend to fly to either the EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse (airport code BSL or MLH), which is the closest possibility, or to Zurich (airport code ZRH).Additional local information on how to reach the institute (by foot, by car, by streetcar) as well as a link to local maps can be found here.
For the EuroAiport Basel-Mulhouse, you can search for flights directly using the airport's web site. This airport is serviced by a number of discount airlines (such as Easyjet, Air Berlin, etc.), but also by several large airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, American Airlines, Delta, KLM). You may want to use an on-line travel agency to search for inexpensive flights or go through your local travel agency. Booking a flight with a discounter is best done through that airline's web page (e.g., Easyjet). The airport is located at the border between Switzerland and France and is technically within France. When exiting the airport, please choose the exit to Switzerland. It takes about 20 min by taxi to get from the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse to Binningen. The cost for a taxi ride is approximately CHF 40 to 50, depending on traffic.
Alternatively, you can take the airport bus to Basel's main train station and continue on from there. With bus number 50 it takes about 15 min to Basel SBB. This bus is equipped with a small trailer for larger luggage items and departs in 20 min intervals. A bus schedule can be downloaded here by clicking on "Basel EuroAirport". The bus ride costs CHF 3.80 (2 zones). Tickets have to be purchased prior to boarding the bus and can be obtained from a vending machine in front of the bus stop. There should also be a machine that accepts Euro coins. In streetcars and in busses all stops are announced via loudspeaker and on a display.
Zurich airport is serviced by a much larger number of airlines. A train ride from Zurich airport to Basel's main train station (Basel SBB) takes about 1 hour and 10 min. A one-way train ticket costs CHF 34 (second class). There are frequent connections (see train information above). Announcements in these trains are usually also made in English.
3. Accommodations
Hotel Schlüssel lies within 10 min walking distance from our institute. The location of the hotel is indicated on our map by a purple key symbol at the lower left bottom (the German word "Schlüssel" means "key" in English). Apart from its proximity, this hotel has the advantage of offering inexpensive rooms as compared to hotels closer to the Basel city center. Rooms at Hotel Schlüssel were held for us until July 15, but there is a possibility that some rooms are still available. The rooms are equipped with a bathroom and a shower. The prices include breakfast:
The cost for a single room is CHF 95 per night (approx. EUR 62).Important: When making a reservation at Hotel Schlüssel, please state that you are going to the "meeting at the Astronomical Institute". In order to make a reservation, you can contact the hotel directly either by
The cost for a double room with single occupancy is CHF 130 (EUR 84).
The cost for a double room with two persons is CHF 155 total (EUR 100).
phone: +41 61 421 2566The postal address of the hotel is:
fax: +41 61 421 6662
e-mail: info@schluessel-binningen.chHotel-Restaurant Schlüssel
Schlüsselgasse 1
CH-4102 Binningen
For additional hotels, please see this web site.
Our colleagues at the Institute of Physics in Basel usually host their guests at "Hotel Bildungszentrum" in Basel. A description of how to get to this hotel from the train station by bus is provided on the hotel's web page. Walking from the hotel to our institute takes about 45 min, so you may want to take a taxi instead (or a bus to Basel SBB and then walk as described above). We did not make block reservations in this hotel nor in the hotel below.
Another fairly inexpensive hotel in Basel is "Hotel Rochat". This hotel is not within easy walking distance either, so you may wish to follow the instructions on its web page to get to Basel SBB and then walk, or else take a taxi.