The Open University joins new European astrophysics project

The Open University’s (OU) Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), including Professor Stephen Serjeant, is taking part in a major new EU-funded initiative aimed at advancing multimessenger astrophysics.

Multimessenger astrophysics is a field that studies the Universe by combining signals from different cosmic messengers like gravitational waves, light, neutrinos, and cosmic rays.

The Astrophysics Centre for Multimessenger Studies in Europe (ACME), which officially launched in Paris on 16-17 September 2024, brings together 40 leading institutions from 15 countries to improve access to cutting-edge research resources in astronomy and astroparticle physics.

The aim of the project is to strengthen collaboration between the astroparticle and astronomy communities. It will create more opportunities for scientists in different countries to collaborate more effectively, providing better international and online access to instruments and data.

By enabling easier access to these advanced instruments, data, and expertise, the ACME hopes to fast-track discoveries being made in multimessenger astrophysics.

Advancing collaboration and access

The ACME was set up to implement recommendations from the Astroparticle Physics European Consortium (APPEC) and ASTRONET plans, which call for greater co-operation and improved access to research resources across Europe.

The initiative also aims to improve how scientific data is managed and shared, allowing for faster identification of important astrophysical events, such as supernovae or neutron star mergers. By improving systems for rapid alerts and follow-up observations, ACME will help researchers respond more quickly to these rare and valuable events, boosting scientific insights.

There is also a focus on training the next generation of researchers and engineers and providing new educational opportunities in multimessenger astrophysics. The project also aims to involve the science-inclined public directly in scientific discovery, an area led by the OU's Prof. Serjeant.