Page 46 - Roadmap

MOMENTUM OF INNOVATION

7.4. PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING

ASTRONOMY RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP

Presentation of the RI group
The formation of stars, planets and planetary systems will be a key research question in astrophysics in the next 15-20
years. Astronomy is currently gaining importance everywhere and constantly delivers exciting new discoveries. Under-
standing the operation of the Sun, and mapping the Solar System and monitoring its changes, are all absolutely relevant
to life on Earth, the planet’s climate and environment changes, to our immediate environment in general. Through the
observation of the extreme conditions of matter in the cosmos, astronomy is linked to a number of areas of physics.
Advanced astronomical instrumentations incorporate all the achievements of cutting-edge technology and information
science. The Hungarian astronomical infrastructure allows the implementation of dedicated long-term observation
programmes, which gain impact through observations unavailable elsewhere. A network is currently being developed
in international and national cooperation for the purpose of constantly monitoring the Earth’s environment (Cosmic
impacts and risks). Shortly, two new robotic telescopes will be available for exploring and monitoring fast, high-energy
processes in the universe, which is a significant development even at European level. The highly qualified, internationally
acknowledged researchers employed in the partner institutions of the RI group cover a wide spectrum of astronomical
research, including the fields of space physics and nuclear physics.

National coordinator of the RI group: Background information
HAS Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Research Centre The group coordinator is MTA CSFK Konkoly Observatory
for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (MTA CSFK CSI), which has been the centre of Hungarian astro-
nomical research for 120 years. Both CSI and its researchers have
Contact: László Kiss long maintained informal, and sometimes also formal, relationship
Email: kiss@konkoly.hu with most of the listed partners. CSI researchers take part in on-
Website: http://konkoly.hu going and planned European (ESA) space projects (CHEOPS,
PLATO, ARIEL), both as users and as coordinators. The domestic
Partners: MTA CSFK Konkoly Observatory; ELTE Department of Ast- research infrastructure is undergoing significant development, and
ronomy; ELTE Gothard Astrophysical Observatory; SZTE Institute of has the ability to achieve world-class results with well-chosen pro-
Physics; SZTE Baja Observatory; ELTE TTK Institute of Physics; MTA grams. In addition to the listed institutions, there are no other in-
Wigner FK RMI; MTA Atomki stitutions in Hungary that would deal with astronomical research.
The requirements set by detection technology are enhancing high-
ESFRI connection: OPTICON; AHEAD; EST; ASTERICS tech and IT development without being exposed to the pressure
and risks of market competition.
Status of the RI group: partly under implementation
Aim of the RI group
The aim of the group is to continue their research. They would like
to complete the modernisation of the entire national astronomy in-
frastructure over the next three years. Hungary has been a full-
fledged member of the European Space Agency for three years. The
group’s goal is to intensify cooperation with European space pro-
grammes and join the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

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