Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste (OATs)
The Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste (OATs) is one of the premier research centers of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). Located in the international scientific hub of Trieste, the Observatory is a leading institution dedicated to cutting-edge research, advanced training, and global education in astronomy and cosmology.
Research at OATs spans an exceptionally wide spectrum, including theoretical and observational cosmology, stellar physics, high-energy astrophysics, and data science. The institution is a recognized center of excellence for technological innovation, hosting the Project Office and the Ground Segment coordination for ESA’s Euclid satellite, and leading the HERMES Pathfinder constellation. OATs also holds the Project Management for next-generation instruments like CUBES and ANDES, designed for ESO’s Very Large Telescope and Extremely Large Telescope.
Furthermore, OATs is a crucial hub for high-performance computing (HPC) and massive cosmological simulations, hosting INAF’s largest computing center and collaborating with CINECA. It also operates the Italian Astronomical Archives Center (IA2), managing massive datasets from global facilities.
Deeply committed to fostering global talent, the Observatory regularly welcomes dozens of international PhD students and postdocs, offering a multicultural environment. Notably, the OATs administration provides professional, dedicated support to assist foreign researchers with visa and administrative procedures. Public outreach is also a core mission, centered at the “Margherita Hack” Observing Station in Basovizza.