In force date
Investigator
Evanthia
Hatziminaoglou
Financial institution
Financing program
Amount granted to the IAC Consortium
350.000,00 €
Description
The landscape of future European ground-based astronomical research infrastructures planned for launch in the 2030s is broad and diverse, ranging from low-frequency radio (SKAO) to optics (ELT, EST), cosmic rays (CTAO), and gravitational waves (Einstein Telescope). However, there are two notable omissions. The first is a sensitive, high-resolution, next-generation facility operating at (sub)millimeter wavelengths (0.35-10 mm), a crucial observation window for studying a wide range of astrophysical objects, from our Solar System to the Milky Way, nearby galaxies, and the distant universe. The second is that the currently planned facilities are not truly ready to operate in a low-carbon future, meeting the needs of the research community and the EU's aspirations for carbon neutrality. This project, which consolidates plans for the 50-meter Atacama Large Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST), directly addresses both needs, providing solutions that will inform other observatories along the way, especially our ESFRI landmark (ESO-ELT) and project (EST) partners. The goal is to leverage European expertise and cooperate globally to revolutionize our understanding of the (submillimeter) universe, while propelling observational astronomy toward a greener future. Strengthened by an H2020-funded design study and a committed community of some 200 researchers from around the world, we have developed scientific cases, conceptual telescope designs, and plans for a sustainable off-grid power system. We are now ready to consolidate the AtLAST concept, create prototypes and test our technological solutions, conduct a full life cycle assessment of the facility, and expand our user community. At the end of this project, AtLAST will have increased the technological readiness level of its crucial components and undergone a preliminary design review, ready to move the project into its implementation phase.
