FAQ ESO & Australia

      1. Are the benefits for Australian astronomers and industry restricted or will Australia be equally treated as a Member State?
      2. What is the financial contribution of Australia? Is it capped or does it vary with each year of collaboration?
      3. Will ESO use this money for the ELT?
      4. Does the Australian industry have access to contracts connected with the ELT?
      5. Does this affect ESO’s name, will ESO continue to be called the European Southern Observatory?

Q: Are the benefits for Australian astronomers and industry restricted or will Australia be equally treated as a Member State?

A: Since 2017, Australian astronomers and industry have access to the ESO La Silla Paranal Observatory — specifically, the Very Large Telescope, the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, VISTA, VST, the ESO 3.6-metre telescope, and the New Technology Telescope. They also have the opportunity to collaborate with ESO Member State institutions on instruments at these observatories.

In addition, following an amendment to the ESO-Australia partnership agreement signed in early 2022, Australia participates in ESO’s Technology Development Programme, meaning Australian industry, universities and institutes are eligible to work with ESO in developing future technologies for ground-based telescopes.

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Q: What is the financial contribution of Australia? Is it capped or does it vary with each year of collaboration?

A: Australia will pay about 7.8 million euros (2018 economic conditions) each year for the ten-year period. The annual amount of Australia’s contribution for the La Silla Paranal operational costs in each calendar year can vary slightly, and are set relative to Australia’s national share of the projected LPO operational budget, including instrumentation and overheads. This national share is calculated by a standard formula using OECD economic data.

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Q: Will ESO use this money for the ELT?

A: The ELT is ESO’s highest priority and specifically its Phase II. The Australian contribution will not directly be used for the ELT but it will indirectly help to bring it forward.

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Q: Does the Australian industry have access to contracts connected with the ELT?

A: Under the original partnership arrangement, Australian industry does not have access to contracts for the ELT. However, under the ESO Technology Development Programme, Australian companies may participate in the development of future technology that could be used on the ELT.

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Q: Does this affect ESO’s name, will ESO continue to be called the European Southern Observatory?

A: ESO will not change its name, which formally is the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, or colloquially the European Southern Observatory.

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