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TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMYThe ASTRONET Roadmap:Strategic Planning for European AstronomyPre-release version – confidentialEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

InsuCONFÉRENCE DE PRESSEL’Europe dévoile son plan à 20 ans pour l’astronomie25 novembre 2008, 10 heuresAcadémie des sciences, Palais de l’Institut,23, quai de Conti, 75006 Paris - FranceOrateurs :- Jean Dercourt, Secrétaire perpétuel de l’Académie des sciences, Introduction.- Jean-Marie Hameury, coordinateur ASTRONET, directeur adjoint de l’Institut national des sciences del'Univers du CNRS, Qu’est ce qu’ASTRONET ?- Johannes Andersen, Président du conseil ASTRONET, directeur du Nordic Optical Telescope à LaPalma (Iles Canaries), Le rôle de la feuille de route d’ASTRONET.- Michael Bode, responsable du groupe de travail de la feuille de route d’ASTRONET, directeur del’Institut de recherche en astrophysique de l’Université John Moores à Liverpool, La feuille de routed’ASTRONET.ContactsPresse CNRS l Claire Le Poulennec l T 01 44 96 49 88 l claire.le-poulennec@cnrs-dir.frCommunication INSU l Philippe Chauvin l T 01 44 96 43 36 l philippe.chauvin@cnrs-dir.fr

InsuCOMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE I PARIS I 25 NOVEMBRE 2008L’Europe dévoile son plan à 20 ans pour l’ast ronomieDans le paysage de l’astronomie mondiale, l’Europe joue un rôle de leader grâce à unecoopération toujours plus efficace de sa communauté scientifique depuis 50 ans. Pour semaintenir au même niveau dans les prochaines décennies, elle doit se fixer des priorités etcoordonner encore plus étroitement ses investissements financiers et humains. Cettetâche est revenue au réseau ASTRONET, soutenu par la Commission Européenne,coordonné par l’Institut national des sciences de l’univers du CNRS, et qui rassemble toutela communauté astronomique européenne. Aujourd’hui, ASTRONET présente sa Feuille deroute des infrastrucutres pour assurer un avenir brillant à l’astronomie européenne dedemain.L’Europe joue aujourd’hui un rôle de leader en astronomie, avec l’observatoire optique le plus puissant aumonde et des infrastructures de pointe dans de nombreux domaines, de la radioastronomie au sol auxsondes spatiales. Dans ce contexte, les astronomes européens se sont réunis pour identifier les défisscientifiques de demain et les moyens en équipement pour y répondre, en optimisant les coûts. Ilsdémontrent ainsi la réalité de la coopération européenne.En 2007, ces astronomes avaient examiné les questions scientifiques les plus brûlantes du prochain quartde siècle, allant de l’énergie noire à la vie sur les autres planètes, et avaient ainsi élaboré une Visionscientifique à long terme. Ils présentent aujourd’hui leur Feuille de route des infrastructures européennes,un plan global à 20 ans pour coordonner les investissements nationaux et communautaires. La feuille deroute hiérarchise les nouveaux grands équipements nécessaires à la recherche en astrophysique, au solcomme dans l’espace. Elle prend également en considération les infrastructures existantes, les ressourceshumaines, l’infrastructure TIC (technologies de l’information et de la communication), la vulgarisation et ladiffusion des connaissances auprès du grand public. Elle contient les coûts estimés de construction et defonctionnement.Cette feuille de route a été élaborée sous l’égide du programme ASTRONET, créé par les grandesagences de financement européennes, bénéficiant du soutien de la commission européenneet coordonnépar l’Institut national des sciences de l’Univers (INSU) du CNRS. Pour établir un consensus sur lespriorités à donner au sein d’une communauté très diverse, la vision scientifique et la feuille de route ont étéconçues grâce à une interaction de toute la communauté, à travers de grands colloques et débats surInternet. Résultat : la feuille de route est soutenue par les astronomes des 28 États membres et associésde l’Union européenne, dont la population dépasse les 500 millions d’habitants.Plus de 60 experts, sélectionnés partout en Europe, ont contribué à la construction de la feuille de routed’ASTRONET, garantissant ainsi que l’astronomie européenne aura les outils nécessaires pour releveravec succès les défis de la vision scientifique. Ils ont identifié et hiérarchisé les nouvelles infrastructures

Insunécessaires pour observer l’Univers, dans le domaine des longueurs d’onde allant de la radio aux rayonsgamma, en utilisant de nouveaux moyens d’étude du cosmos comme les ondes gravitationnelles, ou enallant plus loin dans l’exploration de notre système solaire. Au cours de cette procédure, ils ont pris encompte tous les éléments susceptibles de rendre leur entreprise scientifique fructueuse, tels que lacoopération à l’échelle mondiale concernant les mégaprojets les plus importants ou encore les besoin deformation et de recrutement de jeunes scientifiques et ingénieurs qualifiés.Les projets les plus importants 1 pour ASTRONET sont :Parmi les projets à grande échelle au sol :- le European Extremly Large Telescope, de loin le plus grand télescope optique, doté d’un miroirsegmenté pour étudier le ciel en lumière visible et infrarouge ;- le Square Kilometre Array, un grand radiotélescope qui sera déployé à l’échelle d’un continent.Le SKA serait porté par un consortium mondial.Parmi les instruments de premier plan, mais nécessitant un investissement moindre :- un télescope solaire européen de 4 mètres, qui sera basé dans les Iles Canaries ;- un réseau de télescopes optiques dédié aux rayons gamma émis par les trous noirs ou pard’autres sources très énergétiques ;- un télescope sous mer pour détecter les neutrinos – des particules sub-atomiques quipeuvent traverser la Terre de part en part et qui fournissent des informations sur certains desphénomènes les plus violents de l’Univers.Parmi les missions spatiales les plus importantes pour la prochaine décennie, les priorités d’ASTRONETsont :- une mission pour étudier les ondes gravitationnelles issues du Big bang et des trous noirs ;- une mission pour étudier, en rayons X, les galaxies, les amas de galaxies et les étoiles, plusfinement que cela n’a jamais été fait auparavant ;- deux missions pour étudier les planètes Jupiter, Saturne et leurs satellites.Des projets spatiaux tout aussi importants, mais moins coûteux:- une mission pour percer les secrets de la matière sombre et de l’énergie noire ;- une mission pour comprendre notre étoile, le Soleil, plus en détail que cela n’ a jamais été réaliséauparavant.Parmi les autres recommandations, les astronomes d’ASTRONET ont réfléchi à la façon d’utiliser au mieuxles infrastructures existantes, tant du point de vue scientifique que des coûts. Ils ont également souligné lanécessité d’améliorer l’accès aux équipements informatiques et aux équipements de pointe de certainslaboratoires. L’industrie de haute technologie européenne devrait être davantage impliquée dans laconception des futures infrastructures. En outre, la réussite dépend de l’existence et de la disponibilité desscientifiques et ingénieurs qualifiés, dans les nombreux domaines concernés allant de l’informatique à1 Il s’agit des projets figurant en tête de liste. L’intégralité de la feuille de route, ainsi qu’ un document de synthèse, sont disponibles surle site Internet www.astronet-eu.org

Insul’optique. Enfin, la feuille de route propose une série de mesures de vulgarisation, visant à susciter desvocations scientifiques et technologiques.L’Europe dépense aujourd’hui deux milliards d’euros environ, par an, pour l’astronomie au sens large. Lamise en œuvre de la feuille de route d’ASTRONET nécessitera une augmentation des financementsd’environ 20 pour cent du budget consacré aux très grandes infrastructures de recherche— largementmoins d’un euro par an et par citoyen européen. Une coopération mondiale, en cours de planification, seranécessaire pour les projets les plus importants.Informations complémentairesASTRONET a tout d’abord élaboré une Vision Scientifique de l’astronomie européenne ( publiée en octobre2007), en passant en revue et en hiérarchisant, par ordre de priorité, les principales questions scientifiquesque l’astronomie européenne devrait traiter au cours des 10 ou 20 prochaines années. La Feuille de routed’ASTRONET, qui s’appuie sur ce travail, a été élaborée par un groupe de travail nommé par le conseild’ASTRONET. Les projets concernant des infrastructures existantes ou en projet – plus d’une centaine autotal – ont été examinés par trois groupes de travail spécialisés composés de scientifiques européens.Deux autres groupes ont réfléchi sur les besoins concernant la théorie, l’informatique et la mise àdisposition des données, ainsi que les ressources humaines, y compris l’éducation, le recrutement, ladiffusion des connaissances auprès du grand public et l’engagement industriel.La feuille de route concerne des projets qui nécessitent un investissement européen de 10 millions d’eurosou plus, à décider à partir de 2009. Les critères d’évaluation utilisés sont le retour scientifique potentiel,l’originalité du projet, son importance pour l’Europe, le nombre d’astronomes qui en bénéficieraient et leurimpact sur l’industrie de haute technologie européenne. La communauté scientifique a été sollicitée pourfinaliser ce rapport, à travers un forum de discussions sur Internet et le symposium de Liverpool, en juin2008.A propos d’ASTRONET: www.astronet-eu.o rgLe document de synthèse et l’intégralité de la feuille de route sont disponibles sur ce site, ainsi que desimages à téléchargerThe European Extremely Large Telescope : http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/eelt/E-ELTVidéos du E-ELT : http://www.eso.org/gallery/v/Videos/E-ELT/Images du E-ELT : www.eso.org/gallery/v/ESOPIA/EELT/Animations du radiotélescope Square Kilometre Array :www.skatelescope.org/video/SKA_Animation_High.mpgAnimation ExoMars :www.esa.int/esa-mmg/mmg.pl?b=b&type=IVA&mission=ExoMars&single=y&start=1&size=b

InsuContactsMichael Bode l Responsable du groupe de travail de la feuille de route d’ASTRONET, directeur del’Institut de recherche en astrophysique de l’Université John Moores à Liverpool, l Bureau +44 151 2312920/2919 Portable +44 7968 422312 l mfb@astro.livjm.ac.ukJohannes Andersen l Président du conseil ASTRONET, directeur du Nordic Optical Telescope à LaPalma l +45 353 25934 l ja@astro.ku.dkJean-Marie Hameury l Coordinateur ASTRONET, Directeur adjoint de l’Institutnational des sciences del’Univers du CNRS l T +33 1 44 96 43 77 l jean-marie.hameury@cnrs-dir.frPresse CNRS l Claire Le Poulennec l T +33 1 44 96 49 88 l claire.le-poulennec@cnrs-dir.frCommunication INSU l Philippe Chauvin l T +33 1 44 96 43 36 l philippe.chauvin@cnrs-dir.fr

ASTRONET: Towards a StrategicPlan for European AstronomyJean-MarieHameuryDirecteur adjoint de l’Institut National des Sciences del’Univers du CNRSCoordinator of Astronet

What is Astronet ? ERA-NET, funded by EU FP6– Consortium of funding agencies– Comprehensive view of European astronomy– Development of a common global strategy forEuropean astronomy Contractors/associates/forum members:– About 30 participants from ~ 20 countries– Almost all European countries in which astronomy ispresent, but a few exceptions (Belgium, Ireland,Portugal

Science Vision Key QuestionsA: Do we understand the extremes of theUniverse?B: How do galaxies form and evolve?C: What is the origin and evolution of starsand planetary systems?D: How do we fit in?Developed in sufficient detail to allow identification ofgeneric capabilities needed to deliver the VisionWP leader: T. de Zeeuw (Leiden)

“A A Grand Vision for Astronomy”Symposium in Poitiers(January 2007)Published 28 September 2007Available as a PDF file at:http://www.astronet-eu.orgeu.org/

The Role of theASTRONET RoadmapJ. AndersenDirector, Nordic Optical Telescope, La Palma&ASTRONET Board ChairASTRONET Roadmap Presentation J. Andersen Paris, November 25, 2008

Needs in 2010-2025 2025 forEuropean Astronomy:New:E-ELTELTButalso:SKAVLT, Paranal- andpeople!ORM, La PalmaASTRONET Roadmap Presentation J. Andersen Paris, November 25, 2008

Who Pays forEuropean Astronomy?National & local governments (~99%):• Membership of European organisations (ESO, ESA…)• National & bi/multilateral projects (CFHT, IRAM, LBT…)• National & European supercomputers and networks• National & local research institutes and universities• Training the people we all needEU+ (~1%): ASTRONET, OPTICON, design studies…ASTRONET Roadmap Presentation J. Andersen Paris, November 25, 2008

Who Else Plans the Futureof European Astronomy?• National strategic plans (not all countries have them)- Astronomy is international; coordination needed• ESA/ESO long-range plans- Limited to own investments; only part of the picture• ESFRI Roadmap (by national representatives)- Only few, very largest projects (omits space, particles)-No priorities, schedule; no overall view of each field• OECD Global Science ForumOECD Global Science Forum- Global aspects only; needs common European positionASTRONET Roadmap Presentation J. Andersen Paris, November 25, 2008

The Role of theASTRONET Roadmap:To give funding agencies a comprehensive,science-basedplan for all of astronomy:• Coordinated investments in new, large/global facilities• Cover all wavelengths, ground & space, astroparticles…• Consider balance between new & existing facilities• Include archiving, theory, computing, networks…• Include education, recruitment, outreach, spinoffs• Estimate costs honestly(!); include operations, staff..• Propose realistic project and investment schedules► Prepare rational, coordinated funding decisionsASTRONET Roadmap Presentation J. Andersen Paris, November 25, 2008

A Tough Task?A euphemism!• Scientific priorities must be set (Science Vision!)• Financial limitations become painfully clear• Compromises must be made by the community• Many dreams suffer early, brutal death, but…- we all understand that it makes sense, and- we do not have the option of not doing our best• Roadmap in hand, we will work with ESFRI, GSF…• Then it is up to governments and agencies to act!ASTRONET Roadmap Presentation J. Andersen Paris, November 25, 2008

The ASTRONET RoadmapProfessor Michael BodeLiverpool John Moores University, UKRoadmap Task Leader

What it Aims to doProvide a realistic plan forthe facilities and generalinfrastructure needed toaddress the big questionsposed in the ScienceVision, e.g.:! Is there life elsewhere?! How did galaxies, starsand planets come to be?! How do the most violentexplosions in theUniverse actually work?! What is the nature of DarkEnergy and Dark Matter?And enhance Europeaneducation and industry

How We Worked! Over 60 experts in a Working Group and 5Panels! 3 Panels reviewed over 100 facilities! Another concentrated on theory, computing,and data archiving! The fifth covered human resources, includingeducation, recruitment, public outreach andindustrial involvement40 meetings plus Liverpool Symposium

Conclusions: Future LargeGround-Based Projects! European ExtremelyLarge Telescope (E-ELT)Phased Plan to deliver both projects! Square Kilometre Array(SKA - radio telescope)

Ground-Based Medium Scale! European SolarTelescope! Cherenkov TelescopeArray (CTA - Cosmicgamma rays)! KM3Net (underwaterneutrino telescope)! Plus Small Scale:Wide-Field Spectrograph(Dark Energy)

Large Scale Space Missions! XEUS/IXO (AdvancedX-ray observatory)and LISA(Gravitational Waves)! TandEM or LAPLACE(giant planets)! ExoMars

Medium Scale Space Missions! Gaia (Milky Way mapping- Science Exploitation)! EUCLID (Dark Energy)! Cross-Scale, PLATO,Simbol-X, , SPICA (range ofscience objectives)! Solar Orbiter! Marco Polo(AsteroidRendezvous)

Existing Observational Facilities! Recommended prolongation of the most successfulspace missions! Ground-based telescope reviews

Lab Astrophysics; Theory,Computing, Virtual Observatory! Pan-European (Virtual)Astrophysical SoftwareLab! Enhanced LaboratoryAstrophysics! Further Developmentof the European VirtualObservatory

Wider Impact! Improvements incommunication to the public! Measures to enhance scienceand technology education! Greater interaction withEuropean industry! Enhanced scientific exploitationof results! Provision of adequate numbersof highly skilled people

Conclusions! To implement the full recommendations for this fundamentalscience will require a budget increase of around 20%! The Roadmap will then enable Europe to take the lead inaddressing some of the major scientific questions of our time! It will also enhance the scientific and technical capability ofEurope at all levels! And enable us to work effectively with our wider internationalpartners on some of the largest-scale, global projects overthe next two decades

TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMYThe ASTRONET Roadmap:Strategic Planning for European AstronomyPre-release version – confidentialEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background: The Global Scientific ContextThis is a golden era for astronomy. The past few years have brought a number of epochal discoveries, from the detectionof the first planets orbiting other stars, to the accelerating Universe dominated by enigmatic dark energy. Europe isat the forefront in all areas of contemporary astronomy and the challenge now is to consolidate and strengthen this positionfor the future.In a world of ever-fiercer global competition, European astronomy has reached its current position by learning to cooperateon both a bi- and a multilateral basis, and especially through the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the EuropeanSpace Agency (ESA). However, the scientists and research programmes in universities and research organisations at thenational level remain the backbone of European astronomy. The scientific challenges of the future will require a comprehensivelong-term strategy and the coordination of financial and human resources, underpinned by vibrant, national scientificand technological communities across the whole of Europe. This approach is also needed if Europe is to be a strongand effective partner in the largest, global projects.ASTRONET, supported as an ERA-Net by the European Commission, was created by the major European funding agenciesand research organisations to prepare long-term scientific and investment plans for European astronomy for thenext 10–20 years. The present Infrastructure Roadmap represents the core of this effort and is unique in the history ofEuropean astronomy. Firstly, it considers the whole of astronomy: from gamma-ray to radio wavelengths as well as particles,from the ground and in space, and from the distant borders of the Universe to in situ exploration of Solar Systembodies, and includes theory, computing and laboratory studies. Secondly, it involves all of Europe, including the new EUmember states, and explicitly includes the human resources that are crucial to the delivery of the scientific outcome.We know that astronomy interests peopleof all ages; as well as expanding theirhorizons, it can encourage younger peopleto consider careers in science or technology.Astronomy also drives high technologyin areas such as optics and informatics.These are all powerful reasons to supportEuropean astronomy. As this report shows,astronomy is also a fully international sciencewhose communities welcome theestablishment of the European ResearchArea.Credit: NASA, ESA, CXC, M. Bradac (University of California, Santa Barbara, USA), and S. Allen (Stanford University, USA)Hubble and Chandra composite of the galaxy clusterMACS J0025.4-1222, showing the hot, diffuse gastrapped in the cluster’s powerful gravitational field.2

TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMYScience-Driven PrioritisationScientific planning must be based on scientific goals.Accordingly, this process began with the development ofa Science Vision for European Astronomy, published inOctober 2007. It reviewed and prioritised the main scientificquestions that European astronomy should address overthe next 10–20 years under four broad headings:• Do we understand the extremes of the Universe?• How do galaxies form and evolve?• What is the origin and evolution of stars and planets?• How do we fit in?In doing so, the Science Vision identified the types ofresearch infrastructure that would be needed to answerthe key questions under each heading, but did not addressspecific projects. The present Infrastructure Roadmapbuilds on the Science Vision. It aims to develop a matchingset of priorities for the material and human resourcesneeded to reach these goals, and a plan for phasing thecorresponding investments so that the bulk of the ScienceVision goals can be reached within realistic budgets. Itextends the ESFRI Roadmap by analysing and comparingthe flagship projects in all areas of astronomy in technicaland financial detail, and by addressing directly the hardfacts of the implementation phase.The Working Group and Panels were mindful of existingnational and international strategic plans, including those ofESFRI, ESO and ESA. They also considered the global context,including the plans of our major international partners.Close contact was maintained with the infrastructure networksOPTICON, RadioNet, EuroPlaNet and ILIAS and theERA-Net ASPERA. The Working Group has sole responsibilityfor the final report.Three aspects of the Roadmap are notable. Firstly, itemphasises the need to include the entire electromagneticspectrum — and beyond — in the study of most cosmicphenomena, from young stars and planets to supermassiveblack holes in the distant Universe. Secondly, thepriorities of proposed new space missions were reviewedindependently by the ASTRONET and ESA Cosmic Visionpanels. Although they were prepared by different groupsof scientists, the conclusions were very similar. Thirdly, theRoadmap identifies a number of gaps, for which technologicalsolutions are needed, as well as inconsistencies in currentpolicies. It points to the lack of consistency betweenthe resources devoted to major projects and their scientificexploitation, and to the need to coordinate space projectswith the matching ground-based efforts that are needed tosecure the full scientific returns from the investment.The ASTRONET Roadmap was developed primarily onscientific grounds by a Working Group appointed by theASTRONET Board. Existing and proposed infrastructureprojects across astronomy — well over 100 in all —were reviewed by three specialist panels of top-rankingEuropean scientists. Two other panels considered the concomitantneeds for theory, computing and data archiving,and human resources including education, recruitment,public outreach and industrial involvement. Overall, over60 European scientists were directly involved in this effort.Feedback from the community was invited through botha web-based forum and a large symposium held in June2008.The panels worked by assessing projects requiring newfunds of €10 million or more from European sources andon which spending decisions are required after 2008. Theyexamined each project for its potential scientific impact, itsuniqueness, its level of European input, the size of the astronomicalcommunity that would benefit from it, and its relevanceto advancing European high-technology industry.Artist’s impression of the the extrasolar planet HD 189733b.Credit: ESA/Hubble/M. Kornmesser3

Financial and Human ResourcesA useful roadmap must include realistic estimates of costs, technological readiness and available resources. Independentadvice as well as information provided by the projects have been used to assess their cost and maturity, but the reliabilityof these data varies from project to project. For future space missions in particular, projects have been changing andmerging either internally or with other projects internationally while this report was being prepared. Resource estimates,and also scientific capabilities given here should be regarded as a snapshot of the current situation, based on the bestinformation available to date. Known or estimated costs for operations are included throughout.More surprisingly, the available information on present financial and human resources for European astronomy is itselffragmentary and inconsistent, especially when national universities, projects, and bi- or multilateral collaborations are tobe included in addition to ESO, ESA and national funding agencies. The demarcation between astronomy and other naturalsciences such as physics, chemistry or biology is another source of uncertainty. A breakdown of resources into astronomicaldisciplines such as cosmology or exoplanet research is not possible, and substantial effort will be required toachieve it. This report can give only approximate totals, but they do represent the best pan-European information availabletoday.In the following, ground-based and space-based projects are considered separately, as the funding sources and projectselection procedures for them are often separate. The recommendations are, however, based on the overall scientific perspectivesdescribed in the Science Vision.Artist’s impression of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT)during observations. In the background the centre of the Milky Way is justrising above the enclosure of the telescope.Credit: ESO/H. Zodet4

TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMYGround-Based ProjectsAmong the ground-based infrastructure projects, twoemerged as clear top priorities due to their potential forfundamental breakthroughs in a very wide range of scientificfields, from the Solar and other planetary systems tocosmology:• T h e European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), a40-m-class optical-infrared telescope being developedby ESO as a European or European-led project. A decisionon construction, based on a detailed design andcost estimate, is planned for 2010.• T h e Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a huge radio telescopebeing developed by a global consortium with anintended European share of 33-40 per cent. The SKAwill be developed in three phases of increasing size, scientificpower, and cost. Construction of Phase 1 couldbe decided in 2012, followed by first science and a decisionon Phase 2 around 2016, and with Phase 3 envisagedafter 2020.It was concluded that although the E-ELT and SKA arevery ambitious projects requiring large human and financialresources, they can both be delivered via an appropriatelyphased plan.Three other projects were considered scientifically outstandingin areas with European leadership, but in narrowerfields and with lower budgets than the E-ELT andSKA. These have been grouped together in a separate listwhich comprises, in descending order of priority:• The European Solar Telescope (EST), an advanced 4-msolar telescope to be built in the Canary Islands. The ESTwill enable breakthroughs in our understanding of thesolar magnetic field and its relations with the heliosphereand the Earth; when ready, it will replace the existingnational solar telescopes in the Canary Islands.• T h e Cerenkov Telescope Array (CTA), an array of opticaltelescopes to detect high energy gamma rays from blackholes and other extreme phenomena in the Universe.Building on existing successful European experiments,the CTA — the first true observatory at such energies —is expected to bring about a breakthrough in our understandingof the origin and production of high energygamma rays.• The proposed underwater neutrino detector, KM3NeT,was also considered of great scientific potential, butranked lower than the CTA because of the more provenastrophysical discovery capability of the latter.A smaller project, but again of high priority, is a wide-fieldspectrograph for massive surveys with 8–10-m telescopes.A Working Group is to be appointed by ASTRONET tostudy this in detail. Finally, the report identifies a need toincorporate and support laboratory astrophysics — includingthe curation of Solar System material returned by spacemissions — more systematically than now.Artist’s view of the central element of the Square Kilometre Array. Thephased elements will be able to observe the whole sky and study multipleobjects simultaneously with independent beams. Surrounding the centralelements is a widely distributed array of antenna dishes providing addedsensitivity and resolution.Credit: SKA5

Space MissionsAlthough important national and multinational space projects are being developed outside the ESA structure and theRoadmap also encourages the continued development of fast-track smaller missions, ESA’s strategic planning, mostrecently the Cosmic Vision exercise, dominates the development of major scientific space missions in Europe. Regardlessof scientific merit, only a couple of new L-class (Large scale) and a very few M-class (Medium scale) missions are likely tobe selected or implemented in the next decade within the Cosmic Vision plan; mission proposals are currently undergoingmajor changes and transformations before the final selection is made. Their overall impact depends on maintaining astrong science programme at ESA.The Roadmap Working Group and Panels independently agreed with ESA’s initial selection of Cosmic Vision missions. Allthe proposed missions were judged to be of high scientific value. The final choice of missions by the standard ESA reviewand down-selection procedures, which track changes in mission scope and cost and possible mergers with, or replacementby, other European or international projects, is therefore broadly supported. Within this framework, our priorities,including some non-ESA missions, are as follows:• Among the large-scale missions, the gravitational-wave observatory LISA and the X-ray observatory XEUS/IXO wereranked together at the top. Next were the TANDEM and LAPLACE missions to the planets Saturn and Jupiter and theirsatellites. One is likely to be selected late in 2008 and will then compete with IXO or LISA for the next L-slot. ExoMarswas ranked highly as well, but below TANDEM/LAPLACE and does not compete with the others as it belongs to a differentprogramme (Aurora). The longer-term missions Darwin (search for life on “other Earths”), FIRI (formation and evolutionof planets, stars and galaxies), and PHOIBOS (very close-up study of the solar atmosphere) were also deemedvery important but still require lengthy technological development. It was regarded as premature to assign a detailedpriority ranking to these three missions at this stage.• Among the medium-scale missions, scienceanalysis and exploitation for theastrometric mission Gaia was rankedhighest, followed by the dark energy missionEUCLID and then Solar Orbiter. Next,with equal rank but different maturity, areCross-Scale (magnetosphere), Simbol-X(a non-ESA X-ray project), PLATO (exoplanettransits) and SPICA (far-infraredobservatory). Below these in priority isMarco Polo (near-Earth asteroid samplereturn).Left: ESA’s Gaia spacecraft: artist’s impression.Credit: ESARight: The young, star-forming Tarantula Nebula inthe Large Magellanic Cloud. The colours show thelocations of the many massive, hot young stars andthe heated and ionised regions they have carved outof their natal gas cloud.Credit: ESO/ J. Alves, B. Vandame, Y. Bialetski, R. Fosbury6

TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMY7

The Role of Existing FacilitiesThe role of existing and approved facilities is also considered in the Roadmap. In space, several current missions are sosuccessful that an extension of their operational lifetimes beyond those already approved is richly justified on scientificgrounds. In a constrained environment, the selection of the missions that can be extended within available funds shouldbe based on the scientific productivity of the mission and, for ESA-supported missions, the overall balance in the ESAprogramme.On the ground, the existing set of small to medium-size optical telescopes is a heterogeneous mix of national and commoninstruments, equipped and operated without overall coordination. This is inefficient and is an impediment to effectiveground-based support for space missions. ASTRONET has appointed a committee to review the future role, organisationand funding of the European 2–4-m optical telescopes within the context of the Roadmap, to report by September2009. Reviews of Europe’s existing mm-submm and radio telescopes will be undertaken shortly after, followed later by areview focusing on the optimum exploitation of our access to 8–10-m optical telescopes as we enter the era of the E-ELT.Together, these reviews will enable Europe to establish a coherent, cost-effective complement of mid-size facilities.The four 8-m telescopes of the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT), on CerroParanal in Chile.Credit: ESO/H. H. Heyer8

TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMYTheory, Computing and Data ArchivingThe development of theory and computing capacitymust go hand-in-hand with that of observational facilities.Systematic archiving of properly calibrated observationaldata in standardised, internationally recognised formatswill preserve precious information obtained with publicfunds for future use by other researchers. It will also createa Virtual Observatory that enables new kinds of multiwavelengthscience and presents new challenges to theway that results of theoretical models are presented andcompared with real data. The Roadmap proposes that aEuropean Astrophysical Software Laboratory, a centrewithout walls, be created to promote and coordinate thisdevelopment, along with a number of other initiatives.Education, Recruitment and OutreachIn the end, the deployment of skilled humans determineswhat scientific facilities can be built and operated, aswell as the scientific returns that are derived from them.Conversely, astronomy is a proven and effective vehiclefor attracting young people into scientific and technicalcareers, for the benefit of society as a whole. The Roadmapidentifies several initiatives to stimulate European scientificliteracy and provide our science with the human resourcesit needs for a healthy future.Schoolchildren observing the SunCredit: Kevin Govender9

Technology DevelopmentTechnological readiness, along with funding, is a significant limiting factor for many of the proposed projects, in spaceor on the ground. Key areas for development are identified in each case. Maintaining a vigorous technological R&D programmeto prepare for the future, in concert with industry to ensure technology transfer, is an important priority across allareas of the Roadmap.1/6 scale model of the main optical subsystem of the James Webb SpaceTelescope undergoing functional tests. Europe is making substantialcontributions to this project, including important parts of the advancedinstrumentation.Credit: Ball Aerospace, NASA, ESA and CSA10

TOWARDS A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EUROPEAN ASTRONOMYConclusion and Perspectives for the FutureThe Roadmap can be fairly represented as a community-basedcomprehensive plan that addresses the greatmajority of the Science Vision goals while maintainingand strengthening the role of Europe in global astronomywithin realistic budget limitations. In order to implement itin a timely manner, given the stiff international competition,a modest budget increase over the next decade willbe required. However, the coherent plan proposed herewill make for a very cost-effective investment for Europe.Moreover, such a plan, with its overview and awareness ofthe global context, will also be a strong asset in negotiatinginternational partnerships for the largest projects.“Plans become useless, but planning is essential!” Thecontext for the Roadmap kept evolving while it was beingdeveloped, and will continue to do so. ASTRONET, in concertwith ESFRI, will monitor progress on implementing theproposals of the Roadmap over the next 2–3 years, whethersmall or large in financial terms. The entire European astronomicalcommunity awaits the outcome with keen anticipation.We foresee that a fully updated Roadmap will beneeded on a timescale of 5–10 years. Whether the ScienceVision then needs to be updated as well, will depend onscientific and financial developments on the internationalscene in the meantime.The final version of the present Roadmap will become availableat http://www.astronet-eu.org.Artist’s view of the brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed. The detailedobservations obtained for this event have provided a wealth of informationon how massive stars explode and interact with their environment.Credit: ESO and Guido Chincarini, Stefano Covino, Cristiano Guidorzi, University of Miliano Bicocca and INAF-Brera, Italy. Illustration by Luis Calçada11

Designed and produced by ESO September 2008 www.astronet-eu.org