Inverse problems theme year 2003-2004   

Practical information

Analytic and Geometric Methods in Inverse Problems

Helsinki, Finland, 25 to 29 August 2003

Venue

From Wednesday to Friday (27 to 29 August), the venue is at the Otaniemi campus of Helsinki University of Technology (HUT), in Hall D of the main building. The address is Otakaari 1, Espoo.

Please see the maps.

Programme

Please find the preliminary programme here: PDF, PostScript; and some information for speakers.

Lunch

In the centre of Helsinki, Unicafe cafeterias can be found, e.g., in Porthania (enter through main door, take stairs up) and the main building (enter from Fabianinkatu side, go through the lobby to the far right hand corner - slightly harder to find, but has perhaps a nicer looking classical interior).

In Otaniemi, there is a university cafeteria, e.g., in the Dipoli building (with interesting modern architecture); walk up the stairs next to the reception desk. On the north side, there is a pizzeria/tex-mex restaurant, too, with larger selection and higher prices, and where it will take longer to get your food.

In addition, both Tieteiden talo and the HUT main building have a small cafe serving light lunches (salad, soup, sandwiches).

Of course, in the centre of Helsinki there are lots of restaurants where you can have lunch, as well.

Social programme

Monday 25 August: Welcome reception

(Price: Included in registration fee.)

Tuesday 26 August: Helsinki by sea, sauna

We arrive to Otaniemi around 18.30 and go to the sauna building by the sea. The interested have a chance to go to the sauna (please bring your own towel, soap etc., and a swimsuit if you want to swim in the sea), but you can also just enjoy the light supper, refreshments and company. Or you can go straight back to town by bus or taxi.

(Price: Included in registration fee.)

Wednesday 27 August: Banquet dinner

Please register for the dinner by entering your name (and any special diet requests) on the list when registering on Monday!

(Price: 26-34 €)

Local transportation

• Taxi: Fare approx. 30 € to centre of town (all suggested hotels except Meripuisto) or Otaniemi, 40 € to Hotel Meripuisto. Most taxis accept major credit cards in addition to cash, but not all - ask in advance if you want to pay by credit card.
• Fixed fare shared van Yellow line. Fares:
  • Helsinki and near Espoo (including Otaniemi): 18 € for 1-4 people, 36 € for 5 - 7 people and 50 € for 8 people
  • Western Espoo (including Hotel Meripuisto) 27 € for 1-4 people, 50 € for 5 - 8 people
  Cash and major credit cards accepted. For ordering one for going to the airport, call 0600 555 555 1 - 2 days in advance.
• Fixed fare shared taxi. Fares (in euros):

  Group size	1	2	3	4	5-6	7-8
  Centre of Helsinki	15	17	20	25	35	40
  Otaniemi	17	20	25	35	40	45
  Western Espoo	20	25	35	40	45	50

• Bus: Finnair city bus to the Central railway station (35 min, fare: 4,90 €) or public bus 615, also to the Central railway station, (slightly slower, single regional ticket 3 € - see below for more information).

Taxis

A taxi ride costs of the order of 5 € + 1 €/km.

Public transport

You buy single tickets from the bus or tram driver, or for the metro from a ticket machine. Tickets allow unlimited transfer within 60 minutes (or 80 minutes for regional tickets, see below). Tickets are valid on buses, trams, the metro, local trains and the ferry to Suomenlinna.

For understanding the tickets, it helps to know that the metropolitan area consists of four towns: Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. The Otaniemi campus of HUT and Hotel Meripuisto are in Espoo. The rest of the conference events and accommodation are in Helsinki. Internal tickets ("sisäinen lippu", for transport within a single town) cost 2 €, and regional tickets ("seutulippu") for the entire metropolitan area 3 €. On a tram, you can also buy a tram ticket which does not allow any transfers, for 1,70 €.

You can also also get a tourist ticket for unlimited travel during 24, 72 or 120 hours from time of purchase. These tickets are available from ticket machines at Metro stations. In addition, 24 hour tickets can also be purchased from bus drivers. Prices in euros:

For getting to Otaniemi (HUT), you can take buses 102, 102T or 103 from the centre of town. These buses run with approx. 10 to 15 minutes intervals. The end stop of these buses is close to a huge construction site (future bus station) - please note that you cannot walk across it. You can also take the metro (there is only one line) to the Ruoholahti end stop and take the bus from there.

The bus ride takes 15 to 20 minutes. The place to get off is when you see lots of red brick buildings, including a quarter-of-a-circle "amphitheatre" on your right. Tell the bus driver you want to get off at the HUT main building, or show the following text if you have problems being understood:

Probably most other passangers on the bus speak English and can help you, too.

Please see the maps page for more instructions for getting around.

E-mail, computers

In Otaniemi, you can use the Windows computer classrooms in the main building of HUT. They can be found along the long corridor on the first (= ground) floor.

At HUT, you will need to supply a username and a password, which will be given to you at the conference. Please keep them secret and remember to log out after using the computers.

At both places, Windows computers with web browsers, terminal emulators (ssh and telnet) and an X server (WinaXe) are available.

Most public libraries also offer computers for use for free. There are not too many Web cafes in Helsinki.

Telephones

The international dialling code for Finland is 358; if you use it in conjuction with a telephone number beginning with a zero, the initial zero should be omitted. For making an international call from Finland, dial 00 followed by the country code and the rest of the telephone number.

The area code for Helsinki is 9. For example, to reach HUT, you would dial 4511 from a local telephone, 09 4511 from other parts of Finland or a mobile phone, and +358 9 4511 from abroad or a mobile phone.

Weather

The Finnish Meteorological Institute provides a 5 day online forecast.

Money

Most businesses accept Mastercard and Visa, and most bigger ones also American Express and Diners Club. There are many ATM's.

Further information

• Website http://www.math.hut.fi/inverseyear/
• If you have questions during the conference, please ask the organizers or call Tarja Hämäläinen at 050 5637462. At other times than during the talks, you can also try to reach Kenrick Bingham at 050 5053669.

• Helsinki City Tourist Office
• Finland Travel Guide

Kenrick Bingham <inverseyearmath.hut.fi> 22 Aug 2003