Font Size: 

During the last decades, astronomy has come to a new age with the
avalanche and complexity of available data. In turn this new paradigm
has fostered a strong interest for the research in statistics
itself. Important needs for complex statistical tools and skills have
emerged. These include science exploitation projects, such as rare
object searches, Bayesian parameter inference (e.g., measuring the
ages and other properties of stellar populations given only imprecise
measurements of their spectral energy distribution), and model
selection, the latter particular important in cosmology, where the
available data are exquisitely characterised and the theoretical
models are entirely quantitative. In the talk, I will illustrate the
raising of astrostatiscs and describe a few initiatives to promote
collaboration between astronomers and statisticians.