BRICS countries create network of telescopes to study short-duration space phenomena

Brazil, China and the Republic of South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the GOTTA–BRICS Pathfinder Network, an international observatory network. GOTTA (Global Open Transient Telescope Array) is a global open network of telescopes for observing transient phenomena. The aim of the project is to expand the capabilities for observing short-lived astronomical events, also known as transient phenomena. These include stellar flares, changes in the brightness of celestial bodies and other dynamic processes in space. This was reported on the Brazilian government’s website.

The network, which is currently under development, will bring together scientific institutions from the BRICS countries to develop a collaborative infrastructure for astronomical observations.

In Brazil, coordination has been entrusted to the National Laboratory for Astrophysics (LNA), a division of the country’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). Observations will be carried out at the Pico dos Dias Observatory, located in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range in the state of Minas Gerais. On the Chinese side, the Xinlong and Lenghu observatories have joined the network, whilst on the South African side, the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) has joined.

In addition to cooperation in the field of astronomical observations, the initiative envisages the development of new technologies for managing distributed telescope networks, including the use of artificial intelligence systems for real-time operations. There are also plans to establish a shared infrastructure for data storage and exchange, as well as a staff training programme.

Other MCTI research organisations working in the fields of astronomy and instrumentation are also participating in the project: the Brazilian Centre for Physics Research (CBPF), the National Observatory (ON) and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

The GOTTA-BRICS-Pathfinder network will serve as a preparatory stage for subsequent integration into the larger-scale BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network (BITDN) project, aimed at scientific and technical cooperation among the member countries.

"This memorandum of understanding enshrines the shared vision of Brazil, South Africa and China to establish a joint observational astronomy network and expand our countries’ participation in major international scientific projects. This is not merely a partnership between institutions, but a joint investment in cooperation, innovation and capacity-building for the coming decades, which will enable the other BRICS+ countries to become even more closely involved in the field of astronomy," said Luciano Fraga, Acting Director of the LNA.

The GOTTA–BRICS-Pathfinder Network project aims to develop models for coordinated work, expand the global observational coverage of observations, and support future international scientific initiatives in the field of time-series astronomy (a branch of astrophysics that studies cosmic phenomena by analysing how they change over time).