Optical Infrared Coordination Network for Astronomy

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OPTICON FP7 (2009-2012) WP12 - Enhancing the Community: Optimising Science Access

Please note this page is for historical reference only as OPTICON FP7 (2009-2012) is complete.

This WP has multiple objectives relating to the development of night time and day time (solar) astronomy. These include:

• Developing better-coordinated strategic planning and more cost-effective operation models for medium-sized telescopes within the framework of European astronomy.
• Supporting trans-national access to the OPTICON telescope network.
• Integrating our user communities effectively in the future development and use of European night-time astronomical and solar telescopes;
• Co-ordinating the development of the scientific programme, organisational framework, and operational concept for a large European Solar Telescope in cooperation with the European and wider international solar communities.

WP12.2 - Planning for a viable future

Planning for a viable future. European astronomy, through the ERANET AstroNet, is creating a strategic plan for the future development of astronomy facilities. This includes proposing a reorganisation of our current mid-sized facilities to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness, to identify, develop, and implement complementary approaches to delivery of the resources to satisfy the increasing needs of the widening European astronomical research community OPTICON and AstroNet are collaborating in this process, and will establish a joint review.