Speaker
Description
The European Solar Telescope (EST) is a next generation large-aperture (4 meters) solar telescope which will revolutionize observations of our Sun. This will be achieved through the unique and novel post-focus instrumentation. The acquired data will contribute not only to fundamental solar astrophysics research, but will also address and answer questions of direct societal impact, e.g., aspects that concern space safety. EST will also ensure technological sovereignty and help to keep the competitiveness of European industry. In addition, EST will secure the future of solar physics in Europe and will provide an attractive environment to educate the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians.
In this presentation, we will describe current role of Slovakia within the EST project, which clearly demonstrate that our country is one of the leaders of the project. Slovakia is represented in the project by the Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences which has been involved in the EST from its very beginning. Our institute is one of the founding organisations of the “Canarian Foundation – EST”, the organisation which is currently covering the EST project. And even more, Slovakia together with Spain and the Czech Republic founded “Board of governmental representatives” for the EST project. It is this body that is to lead the EST project to the creation of an ERIC legal entity, which would subsequently ensure the construction and operation of the EST telescope.
