#ctaosymposium

The year 2027 marks a pivotal moment for astronomy. As the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO)—the world’s largest and most sensitive high-energy gamma-ray observatory—gets ready to deliver its first scientific results, the field of Very-High Energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy is poised for a transformation.
 

We are proud to announce that the CTAO is a major contributor to the 33rd General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), to be held in the historical city of Rome, Italy. Within this prestigious framework, we invite astronomers, particle physicists, and multi-wavelength/multi-messenger partners to gather for this dedicated symposium. Together, we will discuss cutting-edge research, explore vital synergies, and examine the transformative science that the CTAO is delivering as it ushers in a new era of multi-messenger astrophysics.

 

The symposium will bring together scientists from around the world to discuss the Observatory’s current phase of development and its anticipated scientific impact. Together, we will discuss cutting-edge research, explore vital synergies, and examine the transformative science that the CTAO will soon deliver as it ushers in a new era of multi-messenger astrophysics.

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Participants will have the opportunity to learn about:

 

• The construction of CTAO, its expected performance, and data access

• The upcoming CTAO Science Data Challenge

• The study of cosmic rays and relativistic particles

• Compact objects and extreme environments

• Fundamental physics and frontiers in new science

• Hot topics in multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy

• Technical first light results and first scientific results from the Large-Sized Telescope prototype (LST-1)

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Significant time will be dedicated to contributed talks, with reserved opportunities for early-career researchers, as well as poster sessions where authors can briefly present their contributions to the audience.

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We encourage abstract submissions for talks and posters covering a wide range of thematic areas: cosmic particle accelerators, the transient and variable sky, MWL/MM synergies, fundamental physics, dark matter, and CTAO capabilities and early science. The submission deadline is January 15, 2027.

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[The CTAO Symposium at IAU is listed as IAU S416.]

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