About the Commission
The aims of the Commission for Astronomy are:
- the coordination of scientific exchange and cooperation on research on Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Physics
- the transfer of scientific knowledge to the public via Public Outreach
The coordination with and scientific exchange with national institutions (e.g. Österreichische Gesellschaft für Astronomie und Astrophysik ÖGAA) as well as with international institutions and unions (e.g. International Astronomical Union IAU, Astronomische Gesellschaft AG, Astronomy & Astrophysics A&A, European Association for Solar Telescopes EAST) shall be maintained and intensified.
The Commission for Astronomy aims to establish a collaborative network built on Austrian expertise in Astro- and Space Physics, namely, the groups of Astrophysics of the University of Vienna, Astro- and Particle Physics of the University of Innsbruck, Astrophysics of the University of Graz (IGAM), Space Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Graz, and of Lithospheric Research of the University of Vienna.
Public outreach and science communication (media, educational institutions, Littrow Lectures, ‘Science goes School’) is part of the mission of the Commission.
Historic background
The Astronomical Commission was founded on March 3, 1967, by the ‘Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftlichen Klasse’ (Section of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences) and renamed on October 15, 1992 in Commission for Astronomy. First head of the Commission was K. Ferrari d'Occhiepo, w.M. (*9.12.1907 – ✝18.3.2007). The Commission for Astronomy is an advisory board in the Section of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences. The Commission was closed as of 31.12.2012.
The foundation of the Commission for Astronomy took place at the constitutive meeting on May 22, 2013, with new members and under a new chair. The Commission for Astronomy is still inside the Section of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
News
21.09.2021
Austria and the ELT Event
Austria and the ELT
A one-day meeting sponsored by the Academy of Sciences
The ESO Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is a novel ground-based telescope concept with a performance that is orders of magnitude better than currently existing facilities. Equipped with the most advanced instruments, such a telescope may, eventually, revolutionize our perception of the Universe, much as Galileo's telescope did 400 years ago. The ELT will allow detailed studies of subjects including planets around other stars, the first objects in the Universe, supermassive black holes, and the nature and distribution of the dark matter and dark energy which dominate the Universe.
Austria joined ESO in 2009 and has since become a player in front-line research done with ESO telescopes. More importantly, Austrian astronomers and Austrian institutions are actively involved in the development of ELT Instrumentation, playing a leading role in both research and development. The Austrian effort has been sponsored by the Universities and the Ministry since Austria joined ESO. Six years away from ELT first light, it is a good time to review where we stand and plan for the final stretch.
What is the status of the collaboration with the various ELT consortia?
What are the strengths of the Austrian community?
Getting ready for ELT Science and optimization of ELT Guaranteed Time Observations
What are the funding priorities for the next 5 years?
The program will include presentations from Austrian astronomers and the ELT Instrumentation scientists.
Invited participants from Austria:
Rector of the University of Vienna
Vice-rectors for Research of the involved Austrian Universities
Dr. Daniel Weselka (BMBWF)
Austrian astronomers
From abroad:
ESO Director-General
ESO Instrument scientists
Instrument consortia leaders
News
About the Commission
The aims of the Commission for Astronomy are:
- the coordination of scientific exchange and cooperation on research on Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Physics
- the transfer of scientific knowledge to the public via Public Outreach
The coordination with and scientific exchange with national institutions (e.g. Österreichische Gesellschaft für Astronomie und Astrophysik ÖGAA) as well as with international institutions and unions (e.g. International Astronomical Union IAU, Astronomische Gesellschaft AG, Astronomy & Astrophysics A&A, European Association for Solar Telescopes EAST) shall be maintained and intensified.
The Commission for Astronomy aims to establish a collaborative network built on Austrian expertise in Astro- and Space Physics, namely, the groups of Astrophysics of the University of Vienna, Astro- and Particle Physics of the University of Innsbruck, Astrophysics of the University of Graz (IGAM), Space Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Graz, and of Lithospheric Research of the University of Vienna.
Public outreach and science communication (media, educational institutions, Littrow Lectures, ‘Science goes School’) is part of the mission of the Commission.
Historic background
The Astronomical Commission was founded on March 3, 1967, by the ‘Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftlichen Klasse’ (Section of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences) and renamed on October 15, 1992 in Commission for Astronomy. First head of the Commission was K. Ferrari d'Occhiepo, w.M. (*9.12.1907 – ✝18.3.2007). The Commission for Astronomy is an advisory board in the Section of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences. The Commission was closed as of 31.12.2012.
The foundation of the Commission for Astronomy took place at the constitutive meeting on May 22, 2013, with new members and under a new chair. The Commission for Astronomy is still inside the Section of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.