On 20 August, Europe’s premier organizations for ground-based and space-based astronomy signed an agreement to formalize and increase their cooperation. The European Southern Observatory and the European Space Agency will work together mainly in the areas of scientific research, technology, and public outreach. On 20 August, Europe’s premier organizations for ground-based and space-based astronomy signed an agreement to formalize and increase their cooperation. The European Southern Observatory and the European Space Agency will work together mainly in the areas of scientific research, technology, and public outreach.
Cooperation between ESO and the science division of ESA goes back to the 1980s with the establishment of a European coordination facility for the Hubble Space Telescope. The overlap between space-based and ground-based astronomy is increasing, says Fabio Favata, who heads ESA’s science planning and community coordination office. “People are growing out of the distinction and using whatever they need to address the...
