The new ASTRONET report sets out recommendations to guide investment priorities fostering our understanding of the Universe in the next decades.
The ASTRONET Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap 2022-2035 (https://www.Astronet-eu.org)) is the latest comprehensive roadmap produced by the ASTRONET network of European funding agencies communities and research organizations.
Panels, including over 100 scientists from across Europe, fed into the report and a series of public consultations were also held to ensure that it reflected the breadth of views within astronomy. The overall effort was led by the UK via STFC-UKRI. The Panels established key science questions, such as understanding the origin of the Universe and the evolution of planets in our Solar System, and made recommendations on the facilities and resources needed to meet these priorities. A continued supply of highly trained and motivated researchers will also be fundamental to progress and societal engagement. In making its recommendations, the report compliments recently published visions provided by the European Space Agency, the US, and advisory bodies such APPEC for AstroParticle Physics.
The aim of the report is to create an openly accessible resource for policy makers and science leaders to support informed decisions that more effectively and efficiently direct scientific discovery. The previous ASTRONET Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap (published in 2007 and revised in 2015) included recommendations which fed into proposals for major scientific infrastructures such as the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Extremely Large Telescope and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
Professor Amelie Saintonge, Professor of Astrophysics at University College London and lead editor of the report, said:
“The technology behind the facilities that allow for groundbreaking Astronomical discoveries often takes decades to mature. This is why it is essential to take a long term and global look at our scientific priorities, as we do in the ASTRONET Science and Infrastructure Roadmap. The Roadmap highlights the need for a balanced and integrated infrastructure where large flagship observatories are complemented by smaller rapid-response facilities, computation and data centers, as well as laboratory facilities and technology development infrastructures. Another growing priority of the community is that Astronomical research is conducted in a sustainable and equitable manner, that also fulfills our roles as educators and responsible citizens. The report highlights the importance of including these considerations right at the first moments of decision making.”
CONTACT IN SPAIN: j.gallego@ucm.es
CONTACT IN THE UK: Malcolm.Booy@stfc.ukri.org
Document funded by RIA through grant PGE2022 28.06.463B.449.06, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.
