European Radio Astronomy Consortium

Newsletter Issue 02/2025

ALMA observes a magnetic field in a protoplanetary disk for the first time

Based on the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) multi-band observations of dust polarization, the magnetic field structure in a protoplanetary disk has been measured for the first time. A research team led by Project Assistant Professor Satoshi Ohashi (NAOJ) investigated the dust polarization in the protoplanetary disk around a young star, HD 142527, by analyzing ALMA 0.9, 1-, 2-, and 3-mm observation data. As a result, they have discovered intense dust polarization primarily due to the magnetic field. Furthermore, they successfully estimated the magnetic field's strength and three-dimensional structure. This research can help understand magnetic fields' role in planet formation.

This research was published in Nature Astronomy on February 5, 2025: Observationally derived magnetic field strength and 3D components in the HD 142527 disk

See the ALMA press release here.

Image: © ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Ohashi et al. ; ALMA 0.9 mm observation of the protoplanetary disk surrounding HD 142527, with an artistic illustration of the magnetic field structure measured from the dust polarization observed in the south part of the disk.

The Highest Energy Neutrino Ever Observed

From the abyss of the Mediterranean Sea, scientists used the KM3NeT neutrino telescope to detect a cosmic neutrino with a record-breaking energy of about 220 PeV. The ARCA detector, part of the KM3NeT deep-sea observatory, captured this extraordinary event, named KM3-230213A, which is the most energetic neutrino ever observed.

This discovery provides the first evidence that neutrinos of such extreme energies are produced in the universe, a breakthrough now published in today's issue of the journal Nature with the title Observation of an Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Neutrino with KM3NeT. Read more.

Image: © The KM3NeT Collaboration; Visual impression of the ultra-high energy neutrino event observed in KM3NeT/ARCA. The colours indicate the light seen by the “eyes” on each module, where the different colours represent different observing times. The almost horizontally reconstructed track of the particle is shown as a line from left to right.

New Technology for Ultra-Fast Data Transfer: SURF and ASTRON Establish 400G Connection

SURF and ASTRON have implemented the OpenZR+ technology to establish a 400G network connection, significantly enhancing scientific research in the Netherlands. This upgrade enables the transmission of more detailed images of space, which is particularly valuable for astronomers working with the LOFAR telescope. As the world’s largest radio telescope, LOFAR consists of thousands of antennas spread across Europe and can now send more signals simultaneously to its central computer, resulting in faster data processing and higher-quality image outputs.

Thanks to the improved network, astronomers can access real-time scientific data directly.

UN COPUOS meeting features satellites’ impact on astronomy

The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) – the top UN body for civilian space-related matters – will discuss “Dark and Quiet Skies, astronomy and large constellations: addressing emerging issues and challenges” annually until 2029.

The subcommittee meets for two weeks and has representatives from 104 countries and 51 observer organisations, with representatives from industry also invited by delegations to contribute. It concluded its 62nd session on 14 February.

Securing an agenda item at the subcommittee is a significant success for the astronomy community, and the culmination of many years of coordinated action to have the issue discussed at the highest international level.

Read the SKAO press release here.

POLICY NEWS

Commission work programme 2025

The 2025 Work Programme sets out the key strategies, action plans and legislative initiatives that will form the building blocks for the further work during this term to respond to our ambition to build a strong, secure and prosperous Europe.

Find the program and annexes here.

SHE FIGURES 2024 published

Equality in research and innovation (R&I) is a core value of the European Union, essential for fostering excellence, diversity, and inclusiveness. Since its first publication in 2003, the She Figures report serves as a key source of comparable, Europe-wide statistics on gender equality in Research and Innovation. In line with previous editions, She Figures 2024 follows the chronological journey of researchers from higher. According to this new report, gender equality in research and innovation not progressing fast enough - see the EC R&I press release here.

EC report: User needs for technology infrastructures

This analytical report “User Needs for Technology Infrastructures” complements the Expert Group on Technology Infrastructures report “Towards a European Policy for Technology Infrastructures, Building Bridges to Competitiveness”. The report gathers extensive evidence on user needs for TIs, presenting the findings of the Expert Group, mainly gathered through a public survey addressed to enterprises, as well as a comprehensive collection of inputs and analyses of other relevant bodies and initiatives.

Europeans strongly support science and technology according to new Eurobarometer survey

The latest Eurobarometer survey on European citizens' knowledge and attitudes towards science and technology shows: more than 8 in 10 citizens (83%) think that the overall influence of science and technology is positive.

Two-thirds of respondents (67%) equally agree that science and technology make our lives easier, healthier and more comfortable. See the survey here.

ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES

IRAM: Open call for NOEMA and 30-meter telescopes

The call on the IRAM telescopes NOEMA interferometer and 30-meter telescope for the summer semester 2025 (01 June 2025 to 30 November 2025) is open.

Submission deadline: 13 March 2025

European ALMA Regional Centre

The European ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) provides the interface between the ALMA project and the European science community. The ARC is staffed by scientists with expertise in radio astronomy and interferometry and it supports its users throughout the lifetime of a project, from proposal preparation to data analysis.

Westerbork Apertif Long Term Archive

ALTA offers to the world-wide astronomical community free virtual access to data and scientific products produced from all sky surveys of the Northern sky that will be conducted with the new Apertif frontend of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT), as well as tools to query, further exploit and perform data mining of these products adaptable to diverse research goals. .

LOFAR Long Term Archive

LTA is a long-established archive and access facility supporting the international LOFAR telescope. It is currently the largest radio astronomical archive in the world already exceeding 45 PB from LOFAR’s past 10 years of operations. The LTA provides a central and key resource for all observed LOFAR astronomical science programs where the data become public within 12 months of first creation.