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MWGaiaDN: Revealing the Milky Way with Gaia

Project description

European network on big data in galactic research

The MWGaiaDN project is preparing a new generation of researchers to harness the power of ESA’s Gaia mission. Launched in 2013, Gaia is mapping billions of stars, offering unprecedented insights into the Milky Way’s structure and history. However, the sheer size and complexity of its data demand advanced skills and approaches. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, MWGaiaDN will bring together top European institutions and industry players to create a unique training environment. Through hands-on projects and workshops, young scientists will push Gaia’s data to its limits, drive future space exploration technologies, and gain expertise to tackle challenges in astronomy and big data.

Objective

The Milky Way-Gaia Doctoral Network (MWGaiaDN): Revealing the Milky Way (MW) with Gaia - Excellent science, Extending techniques, Enhancing people skills, Effecting the next revolution in European led astronomy through leadership in astrometric-based science. What: Gaia, ESA’s major space mission launched in Dec 2013, is now in its extended mission to map some two billion stars in the MW. It’s upcoming data releases , that will provide chemical and physical annotation of the earlier positional releases, present major challenges in terms of complexity and size, hence research training to deliver a full science exploitation is essential, ensuring that Gaia is the `game changer’ for astronomy How: Our DN will link major partners responsible for the development of Gaia, to form an effective and unique training network combining the best research training with a range of academic and industrial placements, specialist research and knowledge transfer workshops. It will develop and train a cohort of young researchers through a set of key science projects pushing the Gaia data to its limits. Our DN will train 10 ESRs located across 10 European beneficiaries, benefiting from the participation of 13 associate partners. These include major industry (e.g. AirbusDS, TAS), at the forefront of Space and Information technologies; SME Industry (e.g. DAPCOM, Suil), innovating new technologies for Space and partners leading the development of next generation astrometry missions outside of Europe (NAOJ). Relevance: It will shape the delivery of training in astrometry and the study of the MW across Europe: delivering key insights into the structure and formation of our Galaxy; delivering the roadmap for the next generation of astrometric space telescopes; equipping the ESRs with skills to drive the next innovative steps in this crucial area of space discovery, as well as enabling them to contribute to the future, growth and challenges of the big data industry and commerce. MWGaiaDN

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-DN-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN
Net EU contribution
€ 274 370,40
Address
RAPENBURG 70
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (7)

Partners (15)