Post #999421

2026-04-08 01:31 UTC

With characteristic disregard for science and technology the Australian government has decided that Australia will not become a full member of the European Southern Observatory (@esoastronomy) when the current interim Strategic Partnership arrangement expires at the end of 2027. This leaves the Australian astronomical community, once again, with no clear pathway to access large optical/infrared telescopes, which are vital to ongoing research. The astronomical community in Australia has long recognised joining ESO as the best way to secure this access long term, along with access to a host of other facilities and other important benefits such as technology development and industrial manufacturing contracts. The 10 year Strategic Partnership agreement was supposed to be our pathway to this membership. https://astronomyaustralia.org.au/blog/news/statement-eso-partnership/ #astronomy #astrodon

Replies (4)

@spacelizard@aus.social 2026-04-08 02:11

Australian scientists and engineers, along with colleagues in Italy, Germany and France, are currently developing and building a cutting edge instrument for one of ESO's telescopes, MAVIS: https://astronomyaustralia.org.au/blog/news/mavis-a-bold-leap-in-australian-led-astronomy-and-adaptive-optics/ When this instrument is installed on the telescope in the early 2030s it will allow the ESO user community to obtain visible light imaging and spectroscopy with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity. With the decision to not join ESO that user community will not include Australian astronomers. Because of the way that ESO procures scientific instruments Australia will still receive a certain amount of telescope time to use MAVIS in exchange for the Australian share of the labour costs associated with its design and construction. That will amount to about 200 nights, which is certainly not nothing, but once those are gone Australia will lose all access to this Australian led instrument. #Astronomy #Astrodon

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@simonbp@social.linux.pizza 2026-04-08 02:12

@spacelizard @esoastronomy Boo.

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@RaymondPierreL3@aus.social 2026-04-08 04:38

@spacelizard @esoastronomy I’m gonna cry again… Hopeless, #Labor majority going wasted… While commercial lobbyists are having a ball leading #AlboPM by the balls, where is our #Science advisor? Out to lunch? Waiting for an appointment?

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@PWei888@fediscience.org 2026-04-08 06:17

@spacelizard @esoastronomy That's really sad!

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