7th BRICS Astronomy Working Group Meeting Recommends Networking of Existing Telescopes

India hosted the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) as well as Astronomers from these countries in online mode on May 19-20, 2021. The meeting was held under the Stream BRICS science, technology and innovation Calendar -2021.

From India, the Interuniversity Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics – IUCAA, Pune, and the Department of Science and Technology – DST coordinated the meeting.

Head of DST’s International Cooperation Division SK Varshney presented India’s perspectives during the meeting. Leading scientific researchers from each BRICS country also presented their national report which highlighted the research activities and infrastructure they have created.

India assumed the BRICS Presidency from January 2021. Around 100 events, including Senior Officials Meetings, Ministerial Level Meetings and Sector Meetings / Conferences, will also be hosted under the BRICS 2021 Calendar. .

BRICS countries stress importance of improving collaboration between astronomers
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– DD News (@DDNewslive)
May 21, 2021

7th BAWG meeting: highlights

• The meeting saw the participation of 5 countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – with more than 50 participants.

• Delegates during the meeting agreed to develop a flagship project in this area.

• The members of the working group indicated the future directions of research in this field such as the construction of a data network and a network of intelligent telescopes, big data, a study of transient astronomical phenomena in the universe , artificial intelligence, machine learning application for processing large data generated because of the enhanced multi-wavelength telescope observatory.

• Delegates, during the meeting, deliberated on operational and strategic issues. They recommended the networking of existing telescopes in the BRICS countries as well as the creation of a data network.

• The 7th BAWG meeting recommended that the focal points of each country present the scientific results of the work carried out in each country. This will help to seek financial support for the flagship project.

• Delegates noted the importance of strengthening collaboration among astronomers from BRICS countries.

About the BRICS Astronomy Task Force:

BRICS is the acronym that was coined to associate the five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. BRICS members are known for their influence on regional affairs.

The BRICS Astronomy Working Group provides a platform for BRICS member countries to collaborate and coordinate in the field of astronomy.