ASTRONET Symposium

04 April 2008

Several hundred of Europe's leading astronomers are expected to travel to Liverpool between 16-19 June 2008 to help finalise a unique 'Road Map to the Stars'. Once agreed, this Road Map will act as the blueprint for Europe's ongoing exploration of the Universe over the next 20 years, guiding all major astronomical research and development.

The ASTRONET Symposium, organised by LJMU's Astrophysics Research Institute, marks a crucial stage in the pan-European ASTRONET initiative.

Established by a consortium of European science agencies in 2005, including the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), ASTRONET was set up to help astronomers devise a priority list of space missions and ground-based facilities to be developed over the next two decades. Now after two years of intense activity, a draft Road Map is ready for review. Due to be circulated for comment in early May 2008, the consultation period will culminate with the Liverpool ASTRONET Symposium, when Europe's astronomical community will come together to debate and refine the key recommendations.

Mike Bode, LJMU's Professor of Astrophysics, who has led the ASTRONET Road Map project since 2006, explained: "We are inviting Europe's leading astronomers to come to Liverpool to get directly involved with this vitally important initiative. Getting a consensus will be hard work and we will have to make some tough calls, but success will be highly beneficial for the future of European astronomy and space research. Without doubt, over the coming decades, European astronomers have the opportunity to lead the way in mankind's exploration of the Universe."

During the Symposium scientists will discuss research relating to all astrophysical objects from the Sun and Solar system to the overall structure of the Universe, as well as every observing technique, in space and from the ground, and from radiation at any wavelength, to astroparticles and gravitational waves.

Professor Bode continued: "Astronomy has entered an era of exciting discoveries that provide answers to fundamental questions. At the heart of our increasing understanding of the Universe is the development of sophisticated research facilities incorporating new technologies. These span ground-based observatories, space missions, 'virtual observatories', large-scale computing infrastructures and laboratory studies.

"Given the scale and cost of these facilities, it is vital that scientists and key funding bodies across Europe reach a consensus, based on a defined scientific imperative, about which developments to invest in over the next 20 years. We will also be reviewing the undoubted impact astronomy has on education and the engagement of the public with science and technology and how we can further enhance these important aspects of our work across Europe.

"Overall the Liverpool Symposium will play a vital part in determining the long-term strategy for European astronomy, with the objective of consolidating and reinforcing the highly competitive position we've achieved at the beginning of the 21st century."

Recommendations arising from the Symposium will be incorporated into the final Road Map due to published in October 2008.

The ASTRONET Symposium in Liverpool will be held in the Arena and Convention Centre (King's Waterfront,Liverpool) between 16-19 June 2008.

For more details and how you can register, please visit: www.astro.livjm.ac.uk/~airs2008/