Europe's Quest for The Universe

Some of the more striking results obtained or anticipated on the ground or in
space at radio, infrared and visible wavelengths and in X-, gamma-ray and
cosmic-rays are covered. The roles of the European Southern Observatory (ESO)
and the European Space Agency (ESA) are stressed, but national initiatives are
also touched upon. Input into the research system in the form of financing and
personnel and output as publications are evaluated. The time frame covered
extends from around 1980 till about 2020. While this book centers on European
developments, comparisons with what others are doing are included. After the
war Europe in science had fallen far behind the US. Thanks to European
cooperation equality has again been reached. Through ESO's Very Large
Telescope and ESA's missions, like the Infrared Space Observatory, X- and
gamma- ray satellites, Mars Express and others, Europe is fully and
independently present at the forefront. The need to integrate the scientists
and engineers from the new EU countries into the overall organization of
European science is noted, an integration which ultimately could extend even
further eastward. This book addresses a wide audience: astronomers and space
scientists, students, politicians involved in science funding, amateur
astronomers and the educated public with an interest in the science and
technology achievable by European cooperation.