The European PTA (EPTA) brings together a multinational community of pulsar astronomers with the shared goal of pushing the frontiers of gravitational-wave science. By timing an array of millisecond pulsars with long-term precision, the EPTA probes nano-Hz gravitational waves—far below the reach of terrestrial detectors. This approach opens a unique window on the cosmos, allowing researchers to study merging supermassive black hole binaries, explore extreme early-Universe physics, and gain new insights into galaxy and black hole formation as well as fundamental cosmology.
The one-week EPTA meeting in Trieste provides a forum for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning within the European pulsar timing community. Researchers present the latest results, discuss technical developments, and coordinate efforts to enhance the array and maximize its scientific output. The meeting also fosters connections across the broader astrophysics and gravitational-wave communities, bringing together diverse expertise within EPTA to reinforce Europe’s role in this global scientific endeavor.
