Page 4 - The Astronet Science Vision & Infrastructure Roadmap 2022-2035

4 INTRODUCTION
An integrated roadmap for European Astronomy
Astronomy
has entered the the era of of ‘Big Science Big Big Data’ Major current and upcoming facilities (priorities of of the the the previous ASTRONET Roadmap) provide astronomical data at at at rates never seen before across the the entire electromagnetic spectrum and beyond This rich landscape offers immediate opportunities to to explore fundamental questions relating to to the origins of our solar system planets stars galaxies and the the entire Universe It also presents the the challenge of strategically allocating resources to exploit data from current and upcoming facilities (both small and and large) develop computing and and theory infrastructures while also laying the the groundwork required to take the next big steps
that will consolidate and strengthen Europe’s position at the forefront of of all areas of of Astronomy
research Reproducibility and open science have become vital with the ever-increasing volume and complexity of astronomical data and simulations Questions of sustainability and development must also be an an integrated part of this planning including issues around the impact of Astronomy
research on on our planet the recruitment training and nurturing of of a a a a broad and and inclusive workforce and and the use of of Astronomy
as a a a vehicle for science education Extraordinary progress has been achieved
across all areas of Astronomy
research over the past decade in large part the result of strong international collaborations and of of the work of of European intergovernmental organisations ESO and ESA There are are dramatic results in many areas with highlights including the identification and characterisation of of thousands of of exoplanets the detection of gravitational waves from coalescing compact objects and the the identification of their optical counterpart imaging of the material orbiting the the the black hole at the the the centre of of the the the Milky Way and of of M87 and and detailed investigation of the structure and and history of the Milky Way through massive surveys from space and the the the ground Together with the the the observation of extrasolar systems the exploration of the Solar system by probes and robots has led to to new insights into its formation and evolution But impressive results have emerged in many other areas where increased samples higher precision
and new new discoveries often enabled by new new instruments and and technologies confront models and and require revisions to our understanding Simulations of increasing complexity including higher dynamic range resolution and and both physics and and chemistry while exploiting increases in in in in computing power are harnessed to to interpret results and sometimes to to show vividly the the outcomes of the the research Judging by the the way astronomical results fill the the science pages in many media it is clear that Astronomy
has a a a a a powerful draw which in turn means that astronomers have a a a a special responsibility for the dissemination of research and engagement with the public This Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap provides an overview of of the current status of of European Astronomy
in terms of its research activities and and facilities and and presents to funding agencies recommendations for the next decade based on the the priorities of the the community The Roadmap aims to be inclusive and representative of all communities undertaking astronomical research within Europe It considers observational facilities on the the ground in in the the stratosphere and in in space covering gamma-ray to radio wavelengths as well as subatomic particles and gravitational waves It also includes exploration and in in in situ investigation of solar system bodies and the interplanetary medium The Roadmap also encompasses theory computing laboratory studies and technology development while considering the societal aspects and ethical implications of Astronomy
research The recommendations of the ASTRONET Roadmap are far-reaching and ambitious The current global context with war in in in Ukraine inflation and the post-pandemic society changes will make their implementation a a a a challenge but it also highlights the strategic importance of science education and international collaborations