Welcome to the Institute of Astronomy
On behalf of all the members of the IoA, we look forward to welcoming you to the Institute.
How to Find Us
On Arrival
The Institute has staff on-site from 8.30am-4pm on working days (Mon-Fri excluding bank holidays). Please report to Reception in the Hoyle Building when you arrive to collect your welcome pack and access card. If you plan to arrive outside of working hours it will be necessary to arrange in advance with your host access to the department.
Useful information
Talks and Social events
Twice a day during weekdays, members of the IoA meet for tea and coffee in the Hoyle Building this is at 11am and 3.30pm.
During term time there are two main talk series:
Wednesday Seminars - from 1.15pm-2.15pm with a bread and cheese lunch beforehand from 12.30pm.
Thursday Colloquia - at 4.00pm with wine and nibbles afterwards.
Various other talks and seminars also take place on a less regular basis. The Cambridge Astronomy Talk List summarises many of these events.
Wireless network access for visitors
Before arrival visitors are advised to register at their home institutes for the international academic wireless network eduroam which is available in the IoA and Kavli buildings. There is some Cambridge centric information about eduroam for visitors here.
Alternatively visitors can use the University of Cambridge browser-based wireless network service which has the SSID: UniOfCam. Please contact your host to arrange this. eduroam is the preferred option and uses the same network hardware.
Wired network access and user accounts for visitors
If a wired network connection or a user account on the IoA science cluster is needed this can be arranged after you arrive. If you require these setup before your arrive please liase with your host who will contact the IOA computing helpdesk. For a wired connection your computer MAC address will need to be provided. A user application form is below. This will need to be submitted by your host.
There is further information on Computing at IoA on the IoA Intranet which is accessible from the wireless network after you arrive.
Other useful information
Lunch Venues
There are a number of nearby options for lunch. All are within a 5 to 10 minute walk from the IoA. Listed below in order of closeness to the IoA
Greenwich House Cafe: see details
West Hub: see details
Churchill College Dining Hall: see details
West Cafe: see details
There is also a large Sainsbury's supermarket (Eddington) which sells a range of sandwiches and snacks. See details
Local Bus Transport
The Universal bus service links Eddington with West Cambridge, the city centre (Queens College/Silver Street), the railway station and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (including Addenbrookes), running every 15 minutes Monday to Friday.
There are stops very close to the IoA site. The route map can be seen on the Map of the University and the timetable can be found here.
Bicycles
A number of companies offer bicycle hire in Cambridge. Google search options can be viewed here.