ESA challenges the Institute of Astrophysics to name a telescope

The European Space Agency (ESA) has challenged the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA) to suggest a name from the field of astronomy in Portugal to be given to one of the 26 telescopic cameras that are part of the PLATO observatory, a space mission dedicated to the study of planetary systems in which Portugal is actively participating.

In this context, the IA has created a voting initiative, open until July 14, and is calling on everyone to participate. Five Portuguese figures have been selected for voting, namely: Teodoro de Almeida (1722–1804); José Monteiro da Rocha (1734–1819); Campos Rodrigues (1836–1919); Francisco de Miranda da Costa Lobo (1864–1945); and Manuel de Barros (1908–1971).

These personalities were pre-selected according to ESA criteria: they must be people who were born somewhere within the current borders of Portugal, who have contributed to astronomy in our country, especially to the study of stars and planetary systems, and who are no longer alive.

Participate and help name one of the telescopes after a Portuguese figure.

More information on the IA page

Photo © ESA-Matteo Apolloni, Structural and Thermal Model (STM) of a PLATO camera