The CTA Observatory gGmbH (CTAO gGmbH) is the interim legal entity for CTA in the preparation of the design and implementation of the CTA Observatory until the final legal entity, a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), is achieved. The CTAO gGmbH works in close cooperation with the CTA Consortium, which is responsible for directing the science goals of the Observatory and is involved in the array design and supplying components (as in-kind contributions).
Governance
The governing bodies of the CTA project
CTAO Council
The CTAO is governed by the CTAO Council, composed of shareholders from 11 countries and one intergovernmental organisation (ESO), as well as associate members from two countries.
Leadership:
Chair, CTAO Council: Gabriel Chardin
Vice-Chair, CTAO Council: Markus Schleier
Managing Director, CTAO gGmbH: Federico Ferrini
CTAO Council Members and Associate Members
| Member Country | Institute | Delegates | Entrance Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australia Astronomy Limited | Mita Brierley, Gavin Rowell | 2018 |
| Austria | Leopold Franzens Universität | Olaf Reimer | 2016 |
| Czech Republic | Institute of Physics of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic | Petr Travnick, Marek Vyšinka | 2015 |
| France | Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) | Berrie Giebels, Guy Perrin | 2016 |
| France | Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) | Pascal Debu | 2016 |
| Germany | Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) | Christian Stegmann | 2014 |
| Germany | Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPG) | Corinna Minderop | 2016 |
| Intergovernmental Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) | Xavier Barcons, Nikolaj Gube | 2019 |
| Italy | Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) | Filippo Maria Zerbi | 2014 |
| Italy | Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) | Antonio Masiero | 2017 |
| Japan | University of Tokyo | Masahiro Teshima | 2015 |
| Slovenia | University of Nova Gorica | Danilo Zavrtanik | 2018 |
| Spain | Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) | Inma Figueroa, Rafael Rebolo | 2015 |
| Switzerland | Universität Zürich | Florencia Canelli, Xavier Reymond | 2014 |
| United Kingdom | UK Research and Innovation – The Science and Technology Facilities Council | Grahame Blair, Justin O’Byrne | 2015 |
| Associate Member Country | Associate Member | Delegates | Entrance Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) | Saskia Matheussen, Jacco Vink | 2015 |
| South Africa | National Research Foundation | Markus Böttcher | 2015 |
The statutes of the CTAO gGmbH: Articles of Association
CTAO Council Meetings
The CTAO Council meets on a regular basis but at least once per year. The meetings are not open to the public and are attended by shareholder delegates and their experts, associate member delegates, CTA spokesperson(s), the chair of the Consortium Board and the Managing Director assisted by the Technical Director/Project Manager, the Scientific Director/Project Scientist and additional members of the company at the Chair’s discretion. Other persons whose presence may be required (e.g. external auditors) may be invited by the Chair with the Council’s approval. Summaries of the meetings and other project updates are reported in the CTA Newsletter via the message from the Managing Director.
Next Meeting
20th Council Meeting
11-12 March 2020
Bologna, Italy
18-19 November
10 September 2019
17-18 June 2019
7-8 March 2019
13-14 November 2018
19-20 June 2018
1-2 March 2018
12 January 2018
14-15 November 2017
11-12 July 2017
8-9 March 2017
14-15 November 2016
26 September 2016
13-14 June 2016
6-7 March 2016
13 November 2015
15-16 July 2015
25-26 March 2015
22 October 2014
5 September 2014
Subordinate Bodies
Administrative and Finance Committee (AFC)
Purpose: To advise the Council on matters of administrative and legal issues of financial management.
Chair: Dirk Steinbach
Vice Chair: James Botha
In-Kind Review Committee (IKRC)
Purpose: To assess the process of calls for in-kind contributions to the CTA Observatory, evaluate proposals received, provide recommendations on the selection of the proposals to the Council and to advise on the contracting and reviewing process of in-kind contributions.
Chair: Richard Schilizzi
Vice Chair: Christian Fabjan
Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC)
Purpose: To advise the CTAO Council and provide advice and recommendations based on the assessment of the scientific and technical activities carried out for the CTA project.
Chair: Roger Blandford