Advancing UK and Italian research in Gamma-Ray astrophysics

Leicester physicists invited to the home of the UK Ambassador to Italy to discuss the future of Gamma-Ray astrophysics.

The School of Physics and Astronomy has a long and proud tradiation of astrophysics research in collaboration with Italian scientists stretching back over many decades. Three of our academics, Professors Paul O’Brien, Jon Lapington and Julian Osborne, were invited to represent the UK at a workshop on February 13-14 to discuss the future opportunities in gamma-ray astrophysics, along with colleagues from several Italian institutes. The workshop was hosted by the UK Ambassador to the Italian Republic, Jill Morris CMG, at the historic Villa Wolkonsky, her residence in central Rome. The Ambassador opened the workshop together with Professor Nichi D’Amico, President of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF).

As the Ambassador’s guests, Paul, Jon and Julian were able to impress their Italian colleagues with a location regarded as magnificent even in Rome. Trying not to be distracted by the enormous Roman aqueduct in the garden (courtesy of the Emperor Nero), the workshop participants discussed future ground- and space-based facilities, scientific opportunities and how Leicester is ideally placed to take advantage of our joint national goals in research.

Professor Paul O’Brien, said “We are grateful to Ambassador Morris for her hospitality and to our Italian colleagues for a great discussion. Our two countries have much in common and we look forward to exploiting future facilities, including CTA and Athena.”