Australia could strengthen its scientific leadership and boost high-tech industry by joining the European Southern Observatory (ESO), says a new UNSW report.
Australia’s astronomy research, which generates around $330 million in economic value each year, can drive deeper participation in global telescope projects and strengthen both scientific discovery and high-tech industry, a new UNSW reports says.
The report, led by UNSW economist Scientia Professor Richard Holden, examines the broader economic impact of astronomy and astrophysics, finding that the field produces significant spillover benefits through technology development, advanced engineering and highly skilled data science talent.
“Research expands the global stock of knowledge,” says Professor Holden.
“History shows that countries that contribute to that knowledge tend to grow faster and become more prosperous.”
Australia is internationally recognised not only for its astronomy research but also for designing specialised instruments used on major telescopes.
“These instruments are at the cutting-edge of optical engineering,” says Professor Sarah Brough, Head of Physics at UNSW.
“The process of building them involves highly specialised optics, electronics and precision engineering.”
That work can create new opportunities for Australian companies, she says.
“Collaborating on instrument fabrication can set up a whole new avenue of work for a company that hadn't worked in that area before.
“We’ve seen companies set up whole new divisions as well as expand into other markets as a result of that work.”
We could end up sitting in the dark while the rest of the world moves ahead.
Losing access to the stars
The report comes as Australia faces a decision about its future access to some of the world’s most advanced astronomical facilities.
Australia currently participates in the European Southern Observatory (ESO) through a strategic partnership that began in mid-2017.
The organisation operates several major telescopes in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth for optical astronomy thanks to its high altitude and dry air.
The partnership allows Australian researchers to apply for observing time on facilities including the Very Large Telescope (VLT), an array of four eight-metre telescopes capable of observing extremely faint objects in the distant universe.
But the agreement is due to expire in 2027 and no decision has been made to support Australian optical astronomy once it has ended.
Australia has been invited to apply for full membership of ESO, which would secure long-term access to its telescopes.
“Once our strategic partnership ends, we’ll lose access to those fantastic facilities,” Professor Brough says.
ESO membership would also give Australian astronomers access to the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) under construction in Chile, which will be the largest optical and infrared telescope ever built when it is completed next year.
With a mirror 39 metres in diameter, the ELT will allow astronomers to observe galaxies forming near the beginning of the universe and study the atmospheres of planets orbiting distant stars.
“With a larger telescope you can see further away, closer to the beginning of the universe,” Prof. Brough says.
“That lets us study how the earliest galaxies formed and evolved, and understand how planetary systems like our own formed.”
Without full ESO membership, Australia will not get access to the Extremely Large Telescope.
Australia is helping build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the remote deserts of Western Australia and South Africa, a multibillion-dollar global project that will be the largest radio telescope ever built when it starts operating next year.
As a radio telescope, the SKA is designed to observe gas in the universe, while the ELT is an optical telescope designed to see the stars.
Professor Brough says the two projects were planned to complement each other, and if Australian scientists lose access to the ELT, their research will become a lot harder.
But, she says, together these facilities would allow Australian scientists to conduct the most advanced astronomy for decades to come.
“We need both to do our science,” says Professor Brough.
“If we don’t get access, we could end up sitting in the dark while the rest of the world moves ahead.
“Right now, we’re world leaders in the science.
“But without access to cutting-edge facilities it really limits our future.”
Membership fees amount to about $40 million per year either in cash or in-kind support, such as cutting edge instruments and engineering assistance.
That 'in-kind support' has historically led to a boon for local Australian businesses working in high-tech and precision engineering fields related to the project.
Professor Brough says the federal government is considering a proposal by ESO.
