21cm & Cosmological Lines 2026 - Online Workshop

Host Institution: National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil

Format: 3-Day Online Event

When: October 21-23, 2026

Introduction & Context

We are currently entering a "golden era" of observational cosmology. With next-generation optical surveys producing unprecedented volumes of precision data, the scientific community is at a crossroads: how do we complement these optical probes to unlock the remaining mysteries of our Universe?

Observations of the 21 cm signal and other cosmological emission lines have emerged as some of the most promising frontiers in this quest. Spanning a broad range of redshifts and observational techniques, these probes provide new insights into the large-scale structure of the Universe, the formation of the first luminous objects, the Epoch of Reionization, and the late-time acceleration driven by Dark Energy.

Through different observational strategies – including intensity mapping experiments, as well as global signal observations – cosmological line studies are opening new avenues to explore the evolution of cosmic structure and the fundamental properties of the Universe.

Objectives

This workshop serves as a premier forum to gather state-of-the-art research in 21 cm and other cosmological lines. Our goal is to bridge the gap between different observational strategies and redshift regimes, fostering collaboration between theorists and experimentalists. Key focus areas include:

• Low Redshift (z < 1): Insights from single-dish instruments such as MeerKLASS, BINGO, and FAST.

• Intermediate to High Redshift (z > 1): Developments in interferometric arrays like HERA, HIRAX, LOFAR, and CHIME.

• Global Signal Experiments: Probing the cosmic dawn with experiments like EDGES, RHINO, and SARAS.

Beyond theoretical discussions, we aim to provide practical value through a proposed hands-on session focusing on publicly available MeerKLASS data, allowing participants to engage directly with real-world IM datasets.