Australia's astronomers set their sights on the next decade

Astronomy in Australia is at a crossroads, with the government yet to commit future funding to a major international telescope agreement. As part of a 10-year astronomy plan launched in Adelaide today, the Australian Academy of Science says full membership of the European Southern Observatory group should be a key priority. But it's not without a price tag which is estimated to be in tens of millions of dollars a year.Guest: Professor Virginia Kilborn is a radio astronomer and chief scientist at Swinburne University of Technology. She is also the Chair of the Australian Academy of Science's National Committee for Astronomy.Producer: Oscar Coleman Statement from a spokesperson for Senator Tim Ayres, Minister for Science, Industry and Innovation. The Government acknowledges the astronomy community’s ambitions and support for ESO. Australia has invested almost $130 million in ESO to date, and will consider the costs and benefits of renewed involvement beyond our current agreement.