The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) is a research and development organization that is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), a UK government agency that supports research in a variety of scientific fields. The UKATC is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and it is focused on the development of new technologies and instruments for astronomy and astrophysics.
The UKATC conducts research and development on a wide range of topics, including the design and construction of telescopes and instruments for observing the universe, the development of advanced materials and technologies for use in space, and the study of the formation and evolution of galaxies and other celestial objects. It also works closely with other research organizations and universities around the world to advance the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
The UKATC operates a number of facilities and projects, including the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), which is a radio telescope located in Hawaii, and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, which is a research and education facility located in Edinburgh. The UKATC also plays a key role in the development of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Euclid mission, which is designed to study the nature of dark matter and dark energy.