(European Science Foundation) The future of fundamental physics research lies in observing the early universe and developing models that explain the new data obtained.

The availability of much higher resolution data from closer to the start of the universe is creating the potential for further significant theoretical breakthroughs and progress resolving some of the most difficult and intractable questions in physics.

But this requires much more interaction between astronomical theory and observation, and in particular the development of a new breed of astronomer who understands both.