Instituto de Astrof´ısica de Madrid: science fiction or top science?

 Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics VIII, Proceedings of the XI Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society held on September 8–12, 2014, in Teruel, Spain. A. J. Cenarro, F. Figueras, C. Hernández-­‐Monteagudo, J. Trujillo Bueno, and L. Valdivielso (eds.) Instituto de Astrofı́sica de Madrid: science fiction
or top science?
J. A. Caballero1
1
Centro de Astrobiologı́a (CSIC-INTA), Campus ESAC, PO Box 78, E-28691 Villanueva
de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain (caballero@cab.inta-csic.es)
Abstract
In Spain, there is an Instituto de Astrofı́sica de Canarias in Tenerife, an Instituto de Astrofı́sica de Andalucı́a in Granada and an Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya in
Barcelona. However, there is not an Instituto de Astrofı́sica de Madrid (IAM). Actually,
Madrilenian astronomers are spread over a number of institutions of quite different origin,
size and funding source. The IAM, if it existed, would be a catalyzer of ideas and collaborations, an international meeting point, an engine for high-technology industry in the region,
and an excellence centre. Furthermore, the IAM would maximise the efficiency in the use of
resources, offer a place for finding synergies between research groups and, especially, have
a critical mass for embarking in very large projects in the ground and space. I will expose
how, in a smooth and democratic way, an IAM might be built step by step. The process
may take decades and, thus, young Madrilenian astronomers shall play a rôle on it.
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