Status and Prospects of Astronomy in Germany 2003–2016: Memorandum

This white paper identifies the main issues and major recommendations for German astronomical research. Their implementation will require initiative from all partners and will allow German astronomers and astrophysicists to continuously play a leading role in their field.

Spis treści:
Editorial committee.
Translation Preface.
Preface to the original memorandum.
Summary.
1. Astronomy yesterday, today and tomorrow.
1.1. The history of the universe.
1.2. The life cycle of stars and the matter cycle.
1.3. New windows into space.
2. The scientific issues.
2.1. The universe – its origin, evolution and large–scale structure.
2.2. Galaxies and massive black holes.
2.3. The matter cycle and stellar evolution.
2.4. Stellar and planetary formation: protostars, circumstellar disks and extrasolar planetary systems.
3. The next fifteen years: observatories and instruments.
3.1. Access to telescopes and involvement in large international projects.
3.3. Strengthening national innovation and initiative.
3.4. Other planned space and balloon missions.
3.5. New initiatives: astroparticles and gravitational wave research.
3.6. The next decade′s projects.
3.7. The future role of existing establishments.
4. Astronomical research structures.
4.1. Historical development.
4.2. The current Situation.
4.3. Research institutes.
4.4. Research funding instruments.
4.5. Training.
4.6. Astronomy and the public.
5. Recommendations.
5.1. Some fundamental aspects.
5.2. Instruments and projects.
5.3. Large projects.
5.4. Medium–sized projects.
5.5. Small projects.
5.6. Organisational instruments.
5.7. Interaction and cooperation.
5.8. Securing and reinforcing funding instruments.
6. Annex.
Glossary/Acronyms.
Telescopes, instruments, experiments.

Nota biograficzna:
The Deutsche Forschung sgemeinschaft DFG (German Research Foundation) is the central, self–governing research funding organization that promotes research at universities and other publicly financed research institutions in Germany. The DFG serves all branches of science and the humanities by funding research projects and facilitating cooperation among researchers.
The Council of German Observatories is the unifying body for all astronomical and astrophysical institutes in Germany and acts as the German member of the International Astronomical Union. It was founded in 1959 in Göttingen, Germany, and in 1962 assembled the first white paper on the situation of astronomy in Germany.