Our Mission
The Taiwan Astronomical Research Alliance (TARA) is a newly expanded organization from the original Taiwan Astronomical Observatory Alliance (TAOvA), aimed at advancing astronomy in Taiwan and paving the way for the establishment of a National Observatory.
Astronomy and astrophysics have long been vibrant fields in Taiwan, beginning with the establishment of graduate programs in the early 1990s and the launch of international collaborations like ALMA. Over the past decades, Taiwan has built a strong presence in the global astronomy community through strategic investments in facilities, instrumentation, and talent cultivation.
TARA’s mission includes science promotion, community service, talent training, and providing operational and technical support for Lulin Observatory, the 2-meter optical telescope in Mexico, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). Current members of TARA come from various institutions, pooling resources and expertise to drive innovation and breakthroughs in the field of astronomy.
Founded in 2024, TARA continues the momentum of Taiwan's astronomical development by bringing together researchers, educators, and institutions to build a unified platform for advancing astronomy both locally and internationally.
Our Vision
TARA is dedicated to becoming the central platform for astronomical research and international collaboration in Taiwan. As astronomical research increasingly relies on highly sensitive instruments and prime observation sites, TARA aims to integrate existing projects and develop strategic steps to enhance Taiwan’s research and observation capabilities.
With more than 70 principal investigators and over 50 postdoctoral researchers, Taiwan's astronomy community has reached a critical mass. Our vision is to support growth through coordinated efforts, ensuring access to cutting-edge facilities, fostering new generations of astronomers, and promoting cross-disciplinary research.
We sincerely invite those passionate about astronomy to join us in exploring the mysteries of the universe and further advancing astronomical science in Taiwan and beyond. Our goal is to become a leading global astronomical research hub, leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in instrumentation, observational techniques, and international cooperation.
Current Status (2022–2025; TAOvA)
TARA was established to build a collaborative platform integrating universities and research institutes in Taiwan. We aim to strengthen cooperation, maximize the use of existing radio and optical telescopes, assist researchers in writing proposals, analyzing data, and organize training camps for students. We also support Lulin Observatory’s operation, facilitate resource sharing, and lay the groundwork for participating in future large-scale international projects.
Our operation mainly focuses on three pillars: (1) Education and Training: organizing research discussion groups, student summer schools, and science communication activities; (2) Lulin Observatory Operations; (3) Supporting the Two-Meter Telescope Project in Mexico. Administrative management is hosted at National Central University (NCU), with distributed funding based on activity needs. Since Fall 2024, three newly recruited TARA scientists also contribute to various activities.
Funding usage mainly includes approximately NT$3M annually for education and training, NT$4M for Lulin operations, and NT$2M for the Two-Meter Telescope project. TARA Summer Schools (20 students/year) continue to thrive, offering full-time research experiences and programming/data analysis training. Science workshops, ALMA seminars, and public outreach events have reached broad audiences including teachers, students, and the general public.
Lulin Observatory’s operational costs are partly covered by TARA. The observatory publishes annual reports summarizing its research achievements, operations, and media highlights.
Although the Two-Meter Telescope is mainly funded by a separate NSC project, TARA helps coordinate and facilitate collaboration with Mexico, China, and France, preparing for future time-domain astronomy efforts.
Highlights include: significant scientific achievements (e.g., 2024 Nature paper linking FRBs to magnetars), participation in the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) project, high-quality scientific outputs (over 130 journal papers in 2023), establishing TARA’s dedicated website (https://tara.tw), educational outreach, and maintaining Lulin as a critical scientific and educational site despite operational challenges.
TARA is also actively contributing to discussions about the potential establishment of a National Observatory, providing a platform for strategic planning, and fostering long-term development of astronomy in Taiwan.
Organization Structure
Below is the organizational structure of TARA:
Contact Us
Email: tara_staff@astro.ncu.edu.tw
Phone: +886-3-422-7151 ext:65956