Onsala Steering Committee (OSC) - Strategy Discussion
Thursday, 8 October 2026 -
09:00
Monday, 5 October 2026
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Thursday, 8 October 2026
09:00
1. Opening, welcome, agenda
-
Per-Eric Sundgren
1. Opening, welcome, agenda
Per-Eric Sundgren
09:00 - 09:05
Room: Room: Catella
09:05
2. Minutes and actions from previous meeting (approval)
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John Conway
2. Minutes and actions from previous meeting (approval)
John Conway
09:05 - 09:15
Room: Room: Catella
09:15
3. Observatory News (related to strategy discussion)
3. Observatory News (related to strategy discussion)
09:15 - 09:40
Room: Room: Catella
3.1 - OSO Astronomy newsletter,June 2026 3.2 - SKA news.July Council meeting Next funding protocol + SRC nodes 3.3 - Visit of LM delegation to OSO and Chalmers (3rd September) 3.4 - Threat to Jodrell Bank Observatory and potential effect on EVN/JIVE 3.5 - Final signed OSO funding agreement 2027-2030 (Doc 3.5A below). For reference (doc B) is copy of submitted VR proposal 3.6 - Publicity on funding award (Docs A, B). 3.7 - OSO overview slides presented during visit to OSO of VR Infrastructure advisory committee B on 24th September 3.8 - Notice of coming ESO Call forALMA WSU B7 receiver and delivery of our B7 prototype to APEX
09:40
4. Current OSO Strategy 2020 -2030
4. Current OSO Strategy 2020 -2030
09:40 - 09:50
Room: Room: Catella
4.1 - Brief comments on current strategy 4.2 - Deviations from strategy noted in report for 2025 to VR
09:50
5. Detailed discussion Geo strategy
5. Detailed discussion Geo strategy
09:50 - 11:20
Room: Room: Catella
5.1 - OSO Geo Strategy Document - Per Erik - Discussion 5.2 - Future geo instrumentation
11:20
6. Detailed Discussion Astronomy Strategy - Part 1
6. Detailed Discussion Astronomy Strategy - Part 1
11:20 - 12:00
Room: Room: Catella
Evolution of VR modules from 2031- 2036 Mod 3 - ALMA Receivers Mod 4 - ALMA Regional Centre node Mod 5 - SKA Regional Centre node
12:00
Lunch
Lunch
12:00 - 12:45
Room: Room: Catella
12:45
7. Detailed discussion of Astronomy Strategy - part 2
7. Detailed discussion of Astronomy Strategy - part 2
12:45 - 13:45
Room: Room: Catella
Evolution of VR modules from 2031- 2036 (continued) Module 2 OSO telescopes Which telescopes shouuld we operate in 2036, 25 m, 20 m, LOFAR, residual APEX operations (other new telescope contributions). Does OSO try to do too much given its resources and we should concentrate efforts? Possibility of seeking private (or public) funding for a new dish to replace our older 25 m and 20 m telescopes. Does OSC support such fundraising efforts Future involvement in new/enhanced ground based telescopes such as AtLAST and ALMA 2040
13:45
8. General Strategic Issues
8. General Strategic Issues
13:45 - 14:45
Room: Room: Catella
- Risk Register - Funding - Outreach (separate funding line) - Organization - User base development - Increasing Staff Diversity - Improving staff recruitment and retention
14:45
9. Conclusions and next steps
9. Conclusions and next steps
14:45 - 15:00
Room: Room: Catella