Media release
From: Australian Academy of ScienceAustralian scientists are on the verge of answering humanity's biggest questions about our cosmic origins and whether we're alone in the universe.
But for Australia to remain at the forefront of astronomy research and discovery, our nation’s astronomers need access to the next generation of world-leading mega telescopes, including the next generation 30m class telescopes, and 8m class telescope capabilities.
The Chair of the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committee for Astronomy, Professor Virginia Kilborn, said one way this could be achieved is through membership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), an intergovernmental organisation of 16 member states.
The recommendation is included in the Academy’s new 10-year plan for astronomy being launched today in Adelaide at the annual meeting of Australia’s astronomers.
“Australia’s astronomy instrumentation program is thriving and engagement with industry is expanding with astronomy applications in diverse areas including medicine, defence, mining and more,” said Professor Kilborn, who is also a radio astronomer and the Chief Scientist at Swinburne University of Technology.
“These achievements are in part due to smart Australian investment in strategic international partnerships, including the ESO and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
“Mega-telescopes of the coming decade are so large that they go beyond any single-nation effort. Within this interlinked research environment, Australia has a major role to play.”
The recommendation for Australia to become a full member of the ESO is among nine priorities in the plan. Other priorities in the plan include:
- capitalising on Australia’s engagement with SKAO
- building Australian capacity including strengthening access to high-performance computing, data and software
- building connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomy
- promoting dark and radio-quiet skies in Australia.
Professor Kilborn said the plan also highlights how Australia’s astronomy workforce is delivering value for the nation, from making fundamental scientific discoveries to developing technology and data science capability and growing a high-tech workforce.
“Importantly, this decadal plan is the first time Australia’s astronomy community has focused on and incorporated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomy.
“We hope this new plan inspires Australians, connects them to our collective endeavour to answer our deepest questions about the cosmos and empowers a new generation of STEM superstars.”
The Academy acknowledges the financial support provided by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, and the late Professor Michael Dopita AM FAA to develop this plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION – Fast facts on Australian astronomy
- Australia has been a strategic partner of ESO since 2017 but is not yet a full member.
- In the past decade, Australia has been involved in two major international astronomy projects: one through the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), and one through the European Southern Observatory (ESO). ESO’s telescopes are in the Chilean Atacama Desert, while the SKAO’s two telescopes are in South Africa and Australia.
- The last decade has seen major advances in our scientific understanding of the Universe, with Australian researchers leading these breakthroughs. Last year astronomers at the ANU announced they had discovered the fastest growing supermassive black hole ever found, helping scientists to better understand why they are so many big black holes in the universe.
- The next decade is beginning with a sense of excitement over the prospects of new discoveries as our telescopes are probing to the edge of the observable Universe.
- The international impact of Australian astronomy research is increasing with Australian papers being cited 2.5 times above the international average. Of the 16,299 refereed publications in astronomy including Australian authors from the past decade, 6,099 were Australian led.
- In the five-year period 2019–2023, 304 students graduated with a PhD in astronomy or astrophysics – almost double that of 10 years ago. More than a quarter of these graduates move directly into Australian industry – an increase of 19% on the previous decade.
- The decadal plan development process is the way scientific disciplines in Australia come together and plan for the future. Scientific Decadal Plans are developed by the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committees. They draw on disciplinary expertise in Australia and internationally to inform their work which in turn informs policy and investment decisions.
