Astronet is a consortium of European funding agencies, established for the purpose of providing advice on long-term planning and development of European Astronomy. Astronet is now developing a new Science Vision & Infrastructure Roadmap with an outlook for the next 20 years. A delivery date to European funding agencies of mid-2021 is anticipated. After some delays due to the global pandemic, the first drafts of the chapters for the document are now available from the Panels asked to draft them, and input by the Eurpean astronomy and space science community as possible is very welcome.
Invitation to Contribute to the Astronet Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap
Published: 06 Apr 2021
Setup in 2005, Astronet members include agencies of most of the major European nations and ESO, with ESA and SKA as observers and the European Astronomical Society and the Astroparticle Physics European Consortium as invitees. The purpose of the Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap is to deliver a coordinated vision covering the entire breadth of astronomical research, from the origin and early development of the Universe to our own solar system.
The first European Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap for Astronomy was created by Astronet, using EU funds, in 2008/09, and updated in 2014/15. The new Science Vision & Infrastructure Roadmap is now being produced in a single document with an outlook for the next 20 years. A delivery date to European funding agencies of mid-2021 is anticipated.
The Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap revolves around the research themes listed below:
- Origin and Evolution of the Universe
- Formation and evolution of galaxies
- Formation & Evolution of Stars
- Formation & Evolution of Planetary Systems
- Understanding the solar system and conditions for life
but will include cross-cutting aspects such as computing and training and sustainability.
For the Science Vision & Roadmap to be truly representative it is essential to take account of the views of as much of the European astronomy and space science community as possible – so your input is really valued by the Panels and Astronet.
Please leave any comments, feedback or questions on the Astronet site by 1 May.
It is intended that a virtual “town Hall” style event will be held in late Spring 2021, where an update on the project and responses to the feedback will be provided.