Astronet is a network of European funding agencies and research organizations working together on international strategic planning for astronomy. The network has now published the European Astronomy Plan for 2022-2035. Teams of leading astronomers across the continent will identify key science goals for the next 12 years, from the nature of dark matter and dark energy to the conditions for the origin of life and the early evolution of the universe.
The document sets out ambitions in various areas such as computing and data management, new facilities on earth and in space, sustainability and accessibility, and training, education and public engagement. Recommendations include a camera for the European Extremely Large Telescope to characterize Earth-sized planets around nearby stars, a radio observatory on the far side of the Moon, and a next-generation infrared space telescope.
The teams prioritized minimizing the carbon footprint of astronomy projects, empowering astronomers to engage the public in climate science, diversity and inclusion, and protecting dark and radio-quiet skies. They call on research funding agencies to dedicate 1-2% of the budget to public engagement projects, emphasize the importance of education and training in general, and call for “respectful mutual cooperation” with communities where astronomical facilities are proposed to be built.
Despite Brexit, the UK remains a leading member of the European Southern Observatory and the European Space Agency, and our scientists work closely with their colleagues in the European Union and other European countries. Astronet is an important part of their planning process.
Professor Mike Edmunds, president of the Royal Astronomical Society, welcomed the news. He said: “This is an ambitious and exciting program of future research in astronomy and cosmology. It illustrates the true power of European cooperation in humanity’s quest to understand our place in the universe.”
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Reference: https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/ras-welcomes-astronet-roadmap-12-years-european-astronomy
