Does astronomy generate economic benefits? Technological innovation seen through the lens of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope

Fernandes, André Filipe Soares; Pessoa, Argentino; Silva, Mário Rui

doi:10.1504/ijtpm.2014.064998

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…3 The evidence mainly comes from surveys to suppliers. Fernandes et al (2014) examined the impact of the European Southern Observatory procurement, uncovering technological benefits that they impute to technical challenges posed by collaborations. Castelnovo and Dal Molin (2020) investigated the benefits for 150 suppliers of the Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), confirming the existence of technological learning.…”

Section: Public Procurement For Innovationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Big science and innovation: gestation lag from procurement to patents for CERN suppliers

et al. 2021

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CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the most important laboratory for particle physics in the world. It requires cutting edge technologies to deliver scientific discoveries. This paper investigates the time span needed for technology suppliers of CERN to absorb the knowledge acquired during the procurement relation and develop it into a patent. We estimate count data models relying on a sample of CERN suppliers for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a particle accelerator. Firms in our sample received their first LHC-related order over a long-time span (1995–2008). This fact is exploited to estimate the time lag that separates the beginning of the procurement relationship and the filing date of patents. Becoming a supplier of CERN is associated with a statistically significant increase in the number of patent applications by firms. Moreover, such an effect requires a relatively long gestation lag in the range of five to eight years.

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Section: Public Procurement For Innovationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Big science and innovation: gestation lag from procurement to patents for CERN suppliers

et al. 2021

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“…Astronomy has helped advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and through a wide variety of spin-off technologies and practices has produced a significant return on investment (Fabian, 2010;Fernandes, Pessoa, & Silva, 2014). There are many examples of technology transfer from astronomy to industry: specialized film used by solar astronomers to monitor the Sun's temperature is now used extensively in industry and medicine; the charged coupled device (CCD) was first used in astronomy for imaging in 1976 and today CCDs can be found in virtually every camera including smart phones; a programming language invented by astronomers is now used by General Motors to analyze data from car crashes; and radio astronomers developed a technique called aperture synthesis that is the basis for computerized tomography (CAT scans) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which are used extensively in the practice of modern medicine (Fabian, 2010;Rosenberg, Russo, Bladon, & Christensen, 2015).…”

Section: List Of Figuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do Astronomers Do: A Survey of U.S. Astronomers' Attitudes, Tools and Techniques, and Social Interactions Engaged in through their Practice of Science

Spuck¹

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Astronomy is one of the oldest STEM enterprises today. It is a discipline through which technology has been advanced, as well as our understanding of the universe. Further, astronomy is a gateway science that inspires the imagination of young learners, and can be used to promote STEM careers. In order to advance the astronomy enterprise, we must maintain an informed citizenry. The practice of astronomy has changed over time; astronomy today is much different than it was 50 years ago. In an effort to identify the current practice of astronomy, or what it is that today's astronomers do, 478 U.S. astronomers participated in the study focusing on their engagement in three areas of scientific practice; science attitudes, tools and techniques, and social interactions. In addition, astronomers' perceptions about career choice, work-related activities they engage in, motivations for doing astronomy, and changes needed in education were also explored. Data were collected over a 3-month time period via an online survey and telephone interviews. Data provided by survey participants provides a solid foundation from which findings and conclusions are drawn. Today's population of astronomers is largely white, male, and older, however moving toward gender balance. The population as a whole places great importance on the practice of attitudes such as thinking critically, respecting the evidence, honesty, and objectivity. Unlike many might think, astronomers spend little time at the telescope collecting data, but rather the vast majority of their time is spent working at a computer. Further, engaging in administrative duties, writing, use of mathematics, searching for funding, mentoring others, and collaborating with colleagues are all critical tools/techniques and social skills in the practice of astronomy today. Finally, pop culture and personal experience plays a significant role in attracting individuals to a career in astronomy, and exploration and uncovering that which is unknown, the thrill of discovery, is what keeps them motivated. This study identified and quantified the activities in which professional astronomers engage, and the findings can be used to design formal and informal learning experiences K through adult to more closely reflect the science of astronomy and the people who engage in the practice. iii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my father Charles W. Spuck, and mother Melda R. Spuck. My father grew up in a time when few people finished high school, he made it to the 8 th grade. However, he was the true example of a lifelong learner, always pushing to educate himself. It was rare that I did not see him in the evening at the kitchen table without a book in his hand. In his mid 50's he walked across the stage to receive his GED. That was one of his proudest moments in life. My mother too had a passion for learning, she was the first in her family to graduate high school. They both have been, and continue to be, inspirations in my life. Then there is Dr. Patricia Obenauf, Pat. What an amazing perso...

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The impact of technology transfer and knowledge spillover from Big Science: a literature review

Scarrà

Piccaluga

2022

Technovation

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Does astronomy generate economic benefits? Technological innovation seen through the lens of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope

Cited by 3 publications

References 17 publications

Big science and innovation: gestation lag from procurement to patents for CERN suppliers

Big science and innovation: gestation lag from procurement to patents for CERN suppliers

What do Astronomers Do: A Survey of U.S. Astronomers' Attitudes, Tools and Techniques, and Social Interactions Engaged in through their Practice of Science

The impact of technology transfer and knowledge spillover from Big Science: a literature review

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