Recently the MPA has expanded its activities to the development of methods for interpreting data from the new generation of earth-bound and satellite telescopes, in particular, for gravitational lensing and for X-ray, gamma-ray and microwave observations. These initiatives have strengthened collaboration with its neighbours, the Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, which is concerned with instrumental and observational aspects of infrared, X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, and with European Southern Observatory (ESO), which carries out a broad range of instrumental and observational projects in the optical and infrared and is currently commissioning the VLT, the largest optical telescope in the world.
The MPA is also spearheading German participation in ESA's "Planck Surveyor'' project, taking a major role in developing the simulation and data analysis pipeline for this satellite mission which should map the cosmic microwave background with unprecedented resolution, sensitivity and wavelength coverage.