An Overview of ATHENA (Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics), a Candidate Large Mission for the ESA Cosmic Vision Program | Salvatore Sciortino ( INAF- Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo)

As part of the ESA Cosmic Vision program a “Large” mission concept for imaging X-ray Astromomy is currently in phase A study. The mission, nicknamed ATHENA, result from a very fast and aggressive few month long redefinition phase started April 2011 and ending by October 2011 with a selection for possible phase B (definition) study on February 2012. I will briefly discuss the motivation behind and the rationale for this redefinition process, its outcome, the capability of the newly designed Athena space observatory and the major scientific questions this mission will allow to address. I will also briefly present my view on the overall scenario of the ESA science program and the pros e con of the Athena fitting in this evolving scenario and related advancement of European astrophysics.