An Acad Bras Cienc (2021) 93(Suppl. 1): e20200880 DOI 10.

1590/0001-3765202120200880
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências | Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Printed ISSN 0001-3765 I Online ISSN 1678-2690
www.scielo.br/aabc | www.fb.com/aabcjournal

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

BRICS Astronomy and the United Nations Open

Universe Initiative

ULISSES BARRES DE ALMEIDA, PAOLO GIOMMI & ANDREW M.T. POLLOCK

Abstract: The almost universal availability of electronic connectivity, portable devices,

and the web is bringing about a major revolution: information of all kinds is rapidly
becoming accessible to everyone, transforming social, economic and cultural life
practically everywhere in the world. Internet technologies represent an unprecedented
and extraordinary two-way channel of communication between producers and users of
data. ”Open Universe” is an initiative proposed to the United Nations Committee on
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and currently in implementation under the
leadership of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN-OOSA). Its primary
objective is to stimulate a dramatic increase in the availability and usability of space
science data, extending the potential of scientific discovery to new participants in all
parts of the world. This paper describes the initiative in general, some of the activities
carried out to demonstrate its feasibility, and its use in the context of the BRICS Astronomy
Programme.
Key words: BRICS, Astronomy, Open Universe Initiative, United Nations, Sustainable
Development Goals, Space 2030 Agenda.

INTRODUCTION large and evident for both users and data

providers that even scientific space data
In the field of space science almost all existing
generated through private funds should aim at
data sets have been produced through public
transparency.
funding, therefore they should be considered
a public good and become openly available to Much has been done in recent years,
anyone at a certain point in time. In particular, especially in space astronomy, to offer open
high-level calibrated data products, like images, access, user-friendly platforms and services,
spectra and similar products, should be available demonstrating how natural is the evolution
in a transparent form, that is usable by all. To towards a more and more transparent and
ensure a fair scientific reward and to protect the inclusive ecosystem of tools and services.
intellectual property of the teams that conceive, However, despite the recent progress, there is
design, build and operate the instruments that still a considerable degree of unevenness in the
generate the data, this should happen according services offered by providers of space science
to clear rules. data.
The benefits of openness and transparency Further efforts are necessary to consolidate,
have been widely emphasised. They are so standardise and expand services, promoting

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a significant inspirational data-driven surge research institutions, and industry. The BAWG
in training, education and discovery. Such a is composed of government officials and
process, leading to a much larger level of designated representatives, supported by the
availability of space science data, should be focal points on astronomy and experts from
extended to non-scientific sectors of society. BRICS member countries. It provides a platform
To respond to these needs, at the fifty-ninth for BRICS member countries to engage on policy
session of the United Nations Committee on issues and other matters related to research,
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the development and practice in astronomy, and
Government of Italy, working closely with the to explore mechanisms for promoting BRICS
Italian Space Agency (ASI), proposed the “Open cooperation in astronomy. The principal goal
Universe Initiative”1 . Brazil is today one of the of the Group is to develop the astronomical
leading members of ”Open Universe”, opening up sciences and generate new knowledge, training,
the way for inclusion of the work of the BRICS in the process, human capital and developing
Astronomy Working Group (BAWG, see below) new technologies and applications that can
among the activities of the Initiative. improve the public understanding of science.
The far reaching vision of the Open Universe Such goals are greatly aligned with the principles
Initiative and the potentially global scope, and objectives of the Open Universe Initiative, in
which extends the benefits of space science to such a way that their cooperation for common
large sectors of the society, including emerging goals is highly auspicious.
and developing Countries, call for a wide
international cooperation under the auspices of THE OPEN UNIVERSE INITIATIVE
the United Nations with activities fully integrated
into the UN Space2030 agenda2 . “Open Universe” is an initiative under the
In this paper we describe the main principles auspices of COPUOS with the objective
behind the Open Universe, whose costs are of stimulating a dramatic increase in the
easily sustainable and certainly marginal with availability and usability of space science data,
respect to the total investment that is made extending the potential of scientific discovery to
to produce astronomical and science data. In new participants in all parts of the world and
particular, we briefly address the potentially very empowering global educational services.
large socio-economical returns of the initiative Following the original proposal by Italy at
to the BRICS countries. the 59th session of COPUOS in 20164 , and the
The BRICS Astronomy Working Group adhesion of other supporting countries, such as
(BAWG)3 was created in 2015 with the Brazil, the initiative was welcomed as part of
mission of promoting cooperation between the Space 2030 Agenda, to be carried out as
BRICS member countries in the field of an activity of UNOOSA towards the Sustainable
astronomy, and to enable technologies through Development Goals (SDGs). The initial phase of
joint activities of government, universities, development of the Initiative was marked by
1
”Open Universe” proposal, an initiative under the auspices of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for
expanding availability of and accessibility to open source space science data. Proposal by Italy, A/AC.105/2016/CRP.6.
2
The Space2030 Agenda: Space as a driver of sustainable development, A/AC.105/C.2/2019/CRP.10.
3
The BRICS Astronomy Working Group website can be found at the following link: https://www.bricsastronomy.org.
4
See COPUOS Document A/AC.105/2016/CRP.6
5
openuniverse.asi.it/documents/ou_documents.php

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a number of open discussions, including an SOCIOECONOMIC BENEFIT

expert meeting that took place at the Italian CONSIDERATIONS
Space Agency (ASI) in April 20175 , a series of
presentations during COPUOS meetings or UN The Open Universe initiative aims at largely
organized high-level fora, and a full workshop improving the level of transparency, and
held at the UN premises in Vienna, in November therefore accessibility and use of space science
2017 6 . data both in the scientific community and
“Open Universe” will work to ensure that in non-scientific sectors of the society. In
space science data will become gradually more both cases, socioeconomic benefits may be
openly available, easily discoverable, free of considerable: In the first case, in the form of
bureaucratic or administrative barriers, and an increased number of publications in scientific
usable by the widest possible community, from journals, especially by new actors to be admitted
professional space scientists (several thousands in the field from across the globe, and in the
of individuals) to citizen scientists (potentially of second case, in the form of e.g. better education
the order of millions), to the common citizens and a larger discovery potential for a broader
interested in space science (likely hundreds of user-base.
millions). A detailed cost-benefit analysis of the Open
The services delivered by existing space Universe initiative is certainly beyond the scope
science data producers have significantly of this paper. In the following, we limit ourselves
improved over time (see timeline provided in to a few considerations on the social and
Figure 1), but are still largely heterogeneous, economic benefits of the initiative.
ranging from the basic support reserved to a
 Improve services to professional scientists
restricted number of scientists, to open access
web sites offering ”science-ready” data products,  Facilitate cross-disciplinary, multi-experiment
that is, high-level calibrated space science data and data-intensive research
that can be published without further analysis
by professionals with suitable knowledge.  Improve international cooperation in space
”Open Universe” will implement methods for sciences
improving the transparency and usability level
 Increase the efficiency in the production
of the data stored in current space science data
of knowledge for the same data sets, thus
archives, and urge the data producers to increase
reducing the specific cost of knowledge
their present efforts so as to extend the usability
of space science data to the non- professional  Enable more citizen scientist-type activities
community.
After a number of public discussions and  Promote scientific thinking and scientific
international meetings, Open Universe is now culture in society
on track for its formal foundation under  Inspire young people to scientific careers
the leadership of the UNOOSA, and in close and stimulate capacity building for the
cooperation with the Governments of Italy and industry 4.0
Brazil, as well as in collaboration with other
participating Countries and institutions.  Improve the quality of STEM education
6
unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/psa/schedule/2017/workshop_italy_openuniverse.html

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Figure 1. Conceptual timeline of the evolution of data archives in Astronomy. Taken from the original Open Universe
proposal A/AC.105/2016/CRP.6.

 Extend the potential of scientific discovery impactful (in terms of citations per paper) for
to non-professional scientists, in principle Brazilian science across all disciplines8 . These
to everyone interested in Space Science. factors very clearly highlight the potential in
store for increasing BRICS cooperation in the
Many of the listed items have a potentially field of space science, and the importance of
direct impact to the BRICS countries. Among open science in strengthening such multi-lateral
them, promotion of international cooperation cooperation.
in space sciences is particularly relevant. In
fact, according to the CAPES InCites Report Cost-benefit analysis of research
20177 Space Science is the research area with infrastructures is a difficult matter and it
greatest citation impact in Brazil, a result which is rarely attempted, mostly because of the
is strongly correlated with the high-degree unpredictability of future economic benefits
of international collaboration in the field. In of science. Nevertheless, it has been recently
addition to that, although far from being the conducted on some large scientific projects, the
leader in number of publications, research most important one being the Large Hadron
conducted in collaboration with one or more of Collider (LHC), the world’s largest particle
the BRICS countries have ranked as the most accelerator, showing that the benefits may be
7
https://www.capes.gov.br/images/stories/download/diversos/17012018-CAPES-InCitesReport-Final.pdf
8
The report in question thus recommends that ”[...] a strategy of expanding strategic collaborations with the BRICS
countries would yield greater dividends than collaboration with with North American and European countries, for
instance.” (InCites Report 2017, page 13)

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extremely large. For instance Florio et al. (2016), as human and robotic exploration of the solar
showed that the economic value of the two system, and the development of bases on the
widely used open access softwares ROOT and Moon, and Mars. These initiatives clearly hold a
GEANT4, developed and maintained within LHC large technical, political and economic value.
activities, can be estimated to be 2.8 billion There are no similarly large and structured
Euros. examples of international cooperation projects
Expanding the use of space science data in space science data management, processing
to large sectors of society may be achieved and archiving. However, especially in the
by lowering the barriers of usability of space astronomy sector, some important examples
science data to the level of every citizen, (that is of cooperation emerged in the form of
offering web-ready or transparent data products) spontaneous aggregation of international
rather than following the more frequently research institutions and individuals. Perhaps
used approach of educating a small fraction the most notable one is the cooperation that led
of citizens (usually students and researchers) to the development of the FITS (Flexible Image
to be able to perform complex analyses or Transport System) format. This data format
data processing on low or intermediate level was originally designed in the 1970’s for the
products like raw or un-calibrated data. Figure exchange of radio telescopes images, and over
2 illustrates the concept that, by increasing the the years, and through the collaboration of
level of computational processing of the data, to experts from space and ground based telescopes
high-level science products, larger accessibility operating in all energy bands, evolved into a
to knowledge is achieved. standard capable of supporting any type of
The potential benefits are clearly very large astronomical data type, and endorsed by all
and will depend on how the initiative (and other major organizations, e.g. NASA, ESA and The
related activities, e.g. the Virtual Observatory) International Astronomical Union (IAU).
will evolve. Today the FITS format is not only a
consolidated asset for space science and
THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL astronomy, but also a valuable resource that
COOPERATION can be used for other purposes. One important
example is the use of FITS10 ) for the preservation
International cooperation, usually implemented of high-resolution images of ancient documents
by means of inter governmental agreements, to ensure that present and future generations
plays a large role in the development and the will have simple access to the books of the
operation of space hardware, especially in very Vatican library11 .
large facilities such as the International Space Another important example of cooperation
Station (ISS). Coordination activities, like e.g. the is the International Virtual Observatory Alliance
International Exploration Coordination Group9 (IVOA12 ), which, since 2002, focuses on the
(ISECG) are also crucial for the implementation development of standards and services to
of future highly ambitious space projects, such the astronomical community to support good
9
https://www.globalspaceexploration.org/wordpress/
10
See the NASA-maintained FITS support office at https://fits.gsfc.nasa.gov
11
A description of the Vatican Library Long Time Digital Preservation project can be found here: https://www.
vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=digitalizzazione&ling=eng
12
See http://ivoa.net

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Figure 2. Diagram illustrating how the increase of computational processing of the data, to high-level science
products, can induce increased accessibility to knowledge. Adapted from a figure by Roland Walter presented at the
2017 UN-Italy Workshop on the Open Universe Initiative.

data management and inter-operability. The ONGOING OPEN UNIVERSE ACTIVITIES

IVOA currently comprises 21 programmes from
Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Chile, China, Europe, France, Germany, Hungary, Following the Vienna workshop in November
India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Spain, 2017, three main lines of activities have been
Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United pursued in an effort to implement the vision
States, and an inter-governmental organization of the initiative: (i) The consolidation of the
– ESA. prototype Open Universe portal13 , developed
at the Italian Space Agency; (ii) The set up
of a prototype implementation of a technical
Open Universe, with the coordination of infrastructure in a number of participating
UNOOSA, wishes to largely expand the current countries and institutes (e.g., Armenia-Yerevan,
level of international cooperation in space Argentina-La Plata, Brazil-CBPF, IcraNet-Pescara,
science data services, with large benefits for Italy-ASI, NYU-Abu Dhabi) consisting of hardware
the scientific community, and other sectors of and services that will eventually constitute the
the society. This will be achieved by aggregating Open Universe operational nodes, with an aimed
another level of international cooperation and focal point at UNOOSA; and (iii) Scientific and
coordination, centred at the United Nations educational activities aimed at demonstrating
and its broad network of member states and the feasibility of the principles and some
international organisations. of the long-term objectives of the initiative,
13
https://openuniverse.asi.it

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both in terms of technical implementation and used by anyone with access to mobile
of cost sustainability. All these activities are technologies.
conducted in the spirit of a proof-of-concept and
 expose the potential of ”Open Universe”
establishment of the international collaboration
to the non-space science professionals
that will serve as seed for the Initiative.
(e.g. museums, education sector, citizen
Most of the current work is carried out by
citizens).
the team of researchers participating to Open
Universe on a best-effort basis, and largely within  provide access to Open Universe developed
their research time and with resources from their tools that simplify the analysis and use of
regular research funds. space science and astronomy data

The portal, available at the following URL

The ASI Open Universe portal
https://openuniverse.asi.it, has been conceived
As a first step towards the implementation of the as a sort of space science data ”shopping mall”
principles put forward by ”Open Universe”, the where users visit and use (shop) the many web
Italian Space Agency (ASI) developed a prototype services (each clearly identified by its ”brand” or
web portal for the initiative14 . The first version developers’ logos) available next to each other,
of the ASI ”Open Universe” portal was released with the peculiarity that all the services (shops)
on the occasion of the United Nations/Italy know what the user is looking for as soon as
workshop on the Open Universe held in Vienna he/she enters the portal and specifies a source
in November 2017. The main aims of this service name or a position in the sky.
are:
Space science for non-specialists, non-experts
 develop the prototype that concentrates,
and the citizen
in a single web page, the potential
of accessing space science data and In an effort to remove, or at least significantly
information in a transparent way from lower some of the existing barriers to space
several data archives and information science data, and therefore increase data
systems transparency, we have been developing software
tools that aim at encapsulating complexity and
 provide links to a large number of services hiding it from the users.
that give access to space science data We have done so using modern and
resources. emerging technologies, like e.g. Linux containers,
in particular from Docker.com15 , and the services
 facilitate new types of scientific research
and tools provided by the International Virtual
based on data intensive/data fusion
Observatory Alliance (IVOA)16 .
analysis
Among the tools developed so far we
 help defining the requirements for a new mention:
generation of ”user-centred” integrated - VOU-Blazars (Chang et al. 2020), is a
space-science data archives that could be software tool that, using Virtual Observatory
14
The portal is supported by ancillary distributed infrastructure such as provided by the Brazilian Science Data Center
(BSDC) hosted at CBPF, in Rio de Janeiro – see http://vo.bsdc.icranet.org.
15
https://www.docker.com
16
http://www.ivoa.net

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(VO) services, retrieves data from dozens of data set (15.5 years) of Swift-XRT observations in
catalogs of astronomical sources detected at photon counting (imaging) mode. This last run is
all wavelengths and, based on the information very recent and took about 6 days of processing
retrieved, builds images of the sky highlighting times in the currently existing six Open Universe
the position of possible blazars. This is particular proto-nodes.
useful to visualize or discover new blazars, - Swift_xrtproc (Giommi 2015, Giommi et al.
especially in the large or very large error 2020a), is a software tool based on the official
regions of γ-ray sources or high-energy neutrino Swift Software that performs a detailed spectral
events. As an example Fig. 3 shows the area analysis of X-ray sources. The tool is currently
covering the uncertainty region of the IceCube being extensively tested and prepared for a
neutrino IC140216A. The left image plots the Docker container version to be released in the
radio (red filled circles), X-ray (open blue circles), coming months.
γ-ray (open purple triangles) and known AGN
To increase the level of transparency of open
(small green circles). The right image plots the
access data, making them more easily available
multi-frequency matching sources that could
to the non-specialist, we ran these tools in
be blazars. Different colours represent possible
an automatic way on large parts of the Swift
blazars of different SED type. For each candidate
archive, simulating scientific work carried out
blazar the tool can build a detailed radio to
by non-experts. This resulted in new, ready to
γ-ray Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) (See
use blazars imaging and broad-band spectral
Chang et al. (2020) for details). The spectral and
data (Giommi et al. 2019), detailed spectral and
time-domain data obtained with VOU-Blazars
time domain results of the sample of blazars
can be easily combined with data from other
that have been observed with XRT more than 50
on-line tools. Fig 4 is an example of SED of the
times (Giommi et al. 2020a), a new medium-deep
bright blazar CTA102 built with VOU-Blazar data
survey of the X-ray sky, and a complete deep
(blue points) and from other tools (green points).
sample of HBL sources (Giommi et al. 2020b), the
- Swift_deepsky (Giommi et al. 2019) is a rarest type of blazars.
software pipeline built on top of the Swift X-Ray Similar projects, based on archival data from
Telescope (XRT) official Data Analysis Software the hard-X-ray and γ-ray telescopes NuSTAR and
(XRTDAS), that performs a complete X-ray image Fermi-LAT are on-going and the results will be
analysis of Swift XRT data. The software is presented in the near future.
publicly available either as open source code
or as encapsulated in a Docker container ready
to be used on most platforms, including MacOS, Education: Open Universe workshops/schools
Linux and Windows10. Details on how to run
the software and the products generated can One of the main objectives of Open Universe is
be found in Giommi et al. (2019). Swift_deepsky to ”Broaden the user base”, that is, significantly
has been run on various large samples of Swift widen the community of users of space science
observations and the results have been made data. That long-term goal is pursued from
public, including the all observations of blazars different perspectives. One important activity
(Giommi et al. 2019), a sample of over 1,300 on this front is the organization of workshops
Gamma Ray Bursts (Giommi et al. 2020a) and for and schools. As of today two such events have
the generation of stacked X-ray images of the full already taken place.

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Figure 3. The region around the uncertainty in the arrival direction of the IceCube neutrino IC140216A (light blue
elliptical area) as presented by VOU-Blazars. Left: multi-frequency catalogued sources, right: known and candidate
blazars. See text for details).

 The Open Universe International Doctoral to large international cooperative enterprises,

School: ”The discovery of Black Holes” such as the BRICS Astronomy Programme on
at the ICRANet Centre in Nice. Mostly Transients19 , making them more sustainable and
dedicated to PhD students, postdocs and effective.
scholars17 . In the long run, when considering future
facilities, this can be achieved by ensuring that
 Open Universe workshop at New York
the final data products meet openness and
University - Abu Dhabi Dedicated to
transparency requirements, which in turn boost
undegraduate students18 .
science productivity, facilitate international
In both cases the innovative tools and data cooperation, and increase socioeconomic and
access methods so far developed within the educational impact of the activities.
initiative or available through the interface of In addition to that, when considering,
the open universe portal were described and upstart, the integration of existing facilities
demonstrated. and establishing new collaboration avenues
among the BRICS countries, cost-efficiency can
SUSTAINABLE COSTS be ensured through the Open Universe by:

We argue that initiatives such as ”Open Universe”  Avoiding duplication of efforts amongst
can contribute to contain the costs associated partners in different countries
17
http://www.icranet.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1241
18
https://sites.google.com/view/ouworkshop-nyuad/home
19
See the Resolutions of the Fourth Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group: https://www.bricsastronomy.org/
wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Final-Minute-and-Resolutions-of-the-4th-BRICS-Astronomy-Working-Group-Me....pdf

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Figure 4. Radio to gamma-ray Spectral Energy Distribution of the blazar CTA102, one of the most luminous sources
in the sky. Note the very large variability present at far-infrared, optical, X-ray and γ-ray frequencies.

 Fostering collaboration and coordination uniquely placed to act on the opportunities that
among existing data centres and the fourth industrial revolution presents. The
observatories Open Universe is an Initiative framed around the
development imperatives of the United Nations
 Making best use of existing high quality
Sustainable Development Agenda – targeting
infrastructure and data services (e.g. full
particular direct impact in Quality Education
use of IVOA standards and tools whenever
(SDG4) and the strengthening of Internatonal
possible)
Partnerships (SDG17). The BRICS countries are
 Facilitating the development of innovative well placed to take a global lead in the
tools, and of a new paradigm, such as conduction of the Initiative, adn its associated
distributed analysis development agenda, within the United Nations,
with great benefit for the development of space
 Providing the appropriate background for
sciences and scientific cooperation in the Bloc.
taking full benefit of new technologies
As the Initiative is part of the Capacity
OUTLOOK ON BRICS COOPERATION AND Building Framework of UNOOSA, the BRICS
ROLE IN THE OPEN UNIVERSE countries can further benefit from Open
Universe’s strong component of capacity
As emerging economies, the BRICS countries building actions for the 4th Industrial Revolution,
face a specific set of challenges, but are also through the training of students and young

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researchers, seeking to use space sciences to the expensive data they produce to the small
address in-country socioeconomic development number of scientists belonging to the project
challenges. teams.
At the core of BAWG activities is the The Open Universe initiative aims to play a
development of a network of astronomical strategic role in this regard in the near future,
research among the BRICS countries, for by improving the use of digital technologies
which Open Universe can provide part of the to maximize transparency and enhance web
data infrastructure necessary to enable the interfaces with applications that may even
BRICS Astronomy science and development go beyond the field of space science and
programmes. In particular, it can directly benefit astronomy. Today’s best digital archives provide,
from the support of the Open Universe Initiative in most cases, calibrated data and the associated
for public release and access to data. Given the software suitable for higher level scientific
focus of the BRICS Astronomy Flagship Project in analysis that must be carried out by expert users.
survey and transients sciences, from one side, The rest of the world is still largely excluded
and big data management on the other, the from the utilisation of the data, particularly in
technical focus of the Open Universe Initiative emerging and developing countries such as is
on improving transparency, integrability, and the case of the BRICS. It is part of our goals to
accessibility to astronomical databases, has a contribute to reverse this picture.
clearly enabling role both in the scientific and From the point of view of its development,
the education/outreach fronts of the BRICS 2016 was the year of the proposal to COPUOS,
Astronomy research programme. while 2017 was dedicated to ample discussions,
with the organization of an expert meeting in
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Rome20 , and a workshop dedicated to Open
Universe open to the international community
Since the advent of the first web-based digital that took place at the United Nations in Vienna21 .
archives offering on-line open astronomical data A second expert meeting is planned for the end
services in the early nineties, much has been of the year in Brazil, with significant contribution
done in the direction of offering space science from the BRICS countries.
data to an ever increasing number of users, from In 2020 Open Universe will undergo formal
the small community of scientists involved in the foundation within UNOOSA, and enter its
experiments that produced the data, to several operational phase as part of the activities of the
thousands of non-specialists researchers. United Nations Space 2030 Agenda. It is aimed
This progress, however, has been strongly that the Initiative will closely cooperate with
discipline-dependent, with the astronomy sector the BRICS Astronomy Working Group, as well
leading the way, while other space science as scientists and institutions at large from the
disciplines moving at a much lower speed, BRICS countries, to provide services and support
and in many cases still restricting the use of the development of the BRICS Astronomy
20
Report on the Expert Meeting on preparation of the United Nations/Italy Workshop on the Open Universe Initiative,
Note by the Secretariat, A/AC.105/2017/CRP.22. See the presentations of the ASI Open Universe Expert Meeting,
available here: https://openuniverse.asi.it/documents/ou\_documents.php
21
Report on the United Nations/Italy Workshop on the Open Universe initiative, A/AC.105/1175. Please, refer also to the
repository of presentations given at the UN-Italy Workshop on the Open Universe Initiative here: unoosa.org/oosa/
en/ourwork/psa/schedule/2017/workshop\_openuniverse\_presentations.html

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ULISSES BARRES DE ALMEIDA ET AL. BRICS ASTRONOMY AND THE UN OPEN UNIVERSE INITIATIVE

Programme and its foreseen educational and ULISSES BARRES DE ALMEIDA1

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7909-588X
social activities.
PAOLO GIOMMI2
Acknowledgments https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2265-5003

UBdA acknowledges the support of a Serrapilheira ANDREW M.T. POLLOCK3

Institute Grant number Serra - 1812-26906. PG https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6737-538X
acknowledges support of the Technische Universität
1 Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF), Rua Dr. Xavier
München - Institute for Advanced Study, funded by the
German Excellence Initiative (and the European Union Sigaud, 150, 22290-180 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
2 Italian Space Agency (ASI), Via del Politecnico snc, 00133, Rome,
Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement
n. 291763). Italy
3 University of Sheffield, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH,

England

REFERENCES Correspondence to: Ulisses Barres de Almeida

E-mail: [email protected]
CHANG YL, BRANDT C & GIOMMI P. 2020. The Open
Universe VOU-Blazars tool. Astron Comput 30: 100350.
doi:10.1016/j.ascom.2019.100350.
Authors contributions
All authors contributed equally to the writing of this paper and
FLORIO M, FORTE S & SIRTORI E. 2016. Forecasting the to the activities and work described in it.
Socio-Economic Impact of the Large Hadron Collider: a
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arXiv:1603.00886. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/
2016arXiv160300886F.

GIOMMI P. 2015. Multi-frequency, multi-messenger

astrophysics with Swift. The case of blazars. Journal
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//doi.org/10.1016/j.jheap.2015.06.001.

GIOMMI P, PADOVANI P, OIKONOMOU F, GLAUCH T, PAIANO S &

RESCONI E. 2020a. 3HSP J095507.9+355101: A flaring extreme
blazar coincident in space and time with IceCube-200107A.
Astronomy and Astrophysics 640: L4. doi:10.1051/0004-
6361/202038423. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020A&A...
640L...4G.

GIOMMI P ET AL. 2019. Open Universe for Blazars: a

new generation of astronomical products based on 14 years
of Swift-XRT data. Astronomy and Astrophysics 631: A116.
doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201935646. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.
edu/abs/2019A&A...631A.116G.

GIOMMI P ET AL. 2020b. Open Universe survey of Swift-XRT

GRB fields: Flux-limited sample of HBL blazars. Astronomy and
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How to cite
BARRES DE ALMEIDA U, GIOMMI P & POLLOCK AMT. 2021. BRICS Astronomy
and the United Nations Open Universe Initiative. An Acad Bras Cienc 93:
e20200880. DOI 10.1590/0001-3765202120200880.

Manuscript received on June 6, 2020; accepted for publication

on July 28, 2020

An Acad Bras Cienc (2021) 93(Suppl. 1) e20200880 12 | 12