ESO DOI Service

• Breen, Shari [SKA Observatory, Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield, UK]
• Schödel, Rainer [Instituto de astrofísica de Andalucía – CSIC, Spain]
• Ilee, John [School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leeds, UK]
• Hoare, Melvin [School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leeds, UK]
• Thompson, Mark [School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leeds, UK]
• Bianchi, Eleonora [Excellence Cluster ORIGINS, Germany]
• Codella, Claudio [INAF–Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Italy]
• Podio, Lindra [INAF–Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Italy]
• Forbrich, Jan [Centre for Astrophysics Research, University of Hertfordshire, UK]
• Ingallinera, Adriano [INAF–Catania Astrophysical Observatory, Italy]
• Bordiu, Cristobal [INAF–Catania Astrophysical Observatory, Italy]
• Brunthaler, Andreas [Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Germany]

Our Galaxy occupies a special place in astrophysics, because it allows us to observe fundamental phenomena at least four orders of magnitude fainter and at physical scales at least 100 times smaller than in any other comparable galaxy. Observations of the Milky Way therefore provide the fundamental data for our understanding of processes such as star and planet formation, the physics of accretion and ejection, interstellar chemistry or the interaction of the interstellar medium, stars and a massive black hole as it occurs in galaxy nuclei. In this article we discuss accretion and ejection in star formation, carbon chemistry, unidentified radio sources in the Milky Way, Galactic structure, and stellar remnants in the Galactic centre as exemplary science cases where multiwavelength observations with the SKAO and ESO facilities can make a profound impact. We also briefly discuss the nature of the coordinated observations and any requirements that we consider necessary to carry them out successfully.