Report of the Kavli IAU Workshop on Global Coordination: Future Space-Based Ultraviolet-Optical-Infrared Telescopes

TL;DR

This report summarizes a 2017 workshop where international astrophysics leaders discussed the scientific, technical, and political aspects of future large-scale space telescopes for ultraviolet, optical, and infrared astronomy, emphasizing global collaboration.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of international efforts and strategic planning for future UV/optical/IR space telescopes, highlighting collaborative opportunities and technical considerations.

Findings

Consensus on the scientific importance of future UV/optical/IR telescopes.

Identification of technical requirements and challenges.

Call for increased global collaboration and activity in mission development.

Abstract

International efforts play a key role in driving all areas of astrophysics. Strategic planning is essential to explore possible partnerships and joint projects that otherwise could not be afforded, and to maximize their scientific return. For these reasons, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established in 2016 the Working Group on Global Coordination of Ground and Space Astrophysics. The Working Group held a Kavli IAU Workshop on "Global Coordination: Future Space-Based Ultraviolet-Optical-Infrared Telescopes" in July 2017, bringing together scientific leaders from 17 countries to discuss compelling science drivers, technical requirements, political constraints, and opportunities for a future large-scale UV/optical/Infrared space mission. This report summarizes the workshop and recommends that astronomers worldwide intensify their activities to explore the possibilities for science with such a mission, including consideration of instrumentation and technology definition and development, construction, launch, data analysis, and complementary science. The workshop presentations are available at https://www.strw.leidenuniv.nl/KavliIAU2017.