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Ireland to join the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in 2018.

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  • 12-10-2017 9:39pm
    #1
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,695 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    One bit of good news from the budget.

    https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/1010/911351-ireland-to-join-european-southern-observatory-in-2018/
    Its equipment and researchers have been responsible for some of the biggest astronomy discoveries of recent years and with the European Extremely Large Telescope, or E-ELT, under construction it will make many more.

    Until now, Ireland hasn't been a member of the organisation.

    But that will change next year when we will join the accord, opening the door to Irish researchers to officially access the equipment and the network of academics that use it.

    It will also enable Irish firms working in software, data analytics, photonics and more to bid for lucrative contracts (the E-ELT will cost over €1bn).


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    #2
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,706 Mod ✭✭✭✭star gazer


    This month it formally happens.
    On 6 June 2018, at its meeting in Garching, Germany, ESO’s governing body, the Council, unanimously approved the accession of Ireland into ESO. The ESO Director General, Xavier Barcons, now has the green light to proceed to sign the Accession Agreement with representatives of the Irish government, which is expected later in the year.

    Once D reann (the Irish Parliament) ratifies the Accession Agreement Ireland will become ESO’s 16th Member State.

    Ireland has a long tradition in astronomy and a vibrant research community, which has supported ESO membership for many years. For several decades in the nineteenth century, Ireland hosted the world’s largest telescope — the Leviathan of Parsonstown — a 1.8-metre reflecting telescope at Birr Castle. The grounds of Birr Castle are now home to I-LOFAR, the Irish link to a Europe wide low-frequency radio telescope.

    Around 200 researchers currently work in major astronomy and astrophysics disciplines, in nine institutes and colleges around Ireland.

    More Information
    ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world’s most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 15 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a strategic partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become “the world’s biggest eye on the sky”.


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    #3
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,706 Mod ✭✭✭✭star gazer


    A window to the universe opens up.
    ESO
    The ratification of Ireland’s membership in ESO solidifies the country’s long-standing position at the forefront of the world’s astronomical community. With ESO membership, Irish astronomers gain access to ESO’s suite of world-class telescopes and instruments, including the Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Paranal and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) at Chajnantor in Chile. Irish astronomers and industry can now also look forward to contributing to the construction of the cutting-edge Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).

    By joining ESO, Ireland adds to its already rich astronomical history, stretching back centuries. For several decades in the 19th century, Ireland hosted the world’s largest telescope, the Leviathan of Parsonstown — a 1.8-metre reflecting telescope whose grounds are now home to I-LOFAR, a Europe-wide low-frequency radio telescope.
    Longer announcement

    ESO newsletter:
    https://twitter.com/ESO/status/1050036646580813824


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