Astronomy as a Global Endeavor

Astronomy is an integral part of society. From the beginning of humanity, studying the sky has been important for cultural, religious, artistic, and agricultural reasons. In today’s world, the study of astronomy reaps many further benefits. As we begin to understand our place in the Universe, we can appreciate even more the fragile ecosystem that we call Earth. Learning about other planets beyond our solar system that could possibly sustain life helps us understand Earth’s formation and evolution. Pushing back the frontiers of the Universe to peer at the formation of the first galaxies and stars provides greater context for our Milky Way galaxy.

Pursuing astronomy is also an investment in the future. Along the path to discovery, we build the tools and techniques that can empower our next generation, as the instrumentation and computational and analytical skills applied to astronomy also develop the skills needed to thrive in a technological workforce. The excitement of astronomy lures schoolchildren into STEM fields and increases scientific literacy among the public. Economic development is tied to scientifically savvy societies, so everyone benefits. These tenets are reflected in Portugal’s national space strategy, Portugal Space 2030.

International cooperation is the key for progress in astronomy, because the instruments, spacecraft, and computational resources for analyzing big datasets typically exceed the capacities of individual countries. Morever, big projects always benefit from engaging diverse communties working together, since different perspectives bring different insights into problem-solving. That’s why Portugal’s involvement in space-based astronomy as a member state of the European Space Agency (ESA) and in ground-based astronomy as a member state of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and a participating member of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO) ensure that it is an integral part of the exploration of the Universe. Databases and discoveries from telescopes such as the Gaia satellite, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the SKAO will inspire and employ generations to come.

The International Astronomical Union is the worldwide organization of professional astronomers founded a century ago, with 13,000 members from over 80 countries. Portugal has been a member since 1924. The mission of the IAU is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. Thus, its overarching goals and efforts share many parallels with those of Portugal Space. Portugal plays an integral role in IAU activities. One of the first women to serve in the capacity of IAU General Secretary was Teresa Lago, founder of the Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Porto, who recently completed her IAU term. Portugal has hosted several international IAU symposia to foster the exchange of scientific ideas.

This is an exciting time for astronomy in Portugal. Portugal’s partnerships with the loftiest astronomical enterprises set it up well for the future. We all live under one sky, and we will achieve our greatest advances when we work together to understand it.