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A blessing, because (in a well-conceived program) the
provision of adequate computational facilities need not
be a major drain on the resources devoted to astronomy.
I I . CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Two main themes threaded through all the discussions of
the Panel. First, in order to achieve a well-balanced
astronomy program and enhance the scientific productivity
of present and planned instruments, it is essential that
support for theoretical computations be increased substan-
tially. Second, we are in the first stages of a data
explosion resulting from the growing implementation of
solid-state array detectors. The provision of the compu-
tational capability to handle this data explosion is
equally essential.
Based on these conclusions, the Panel makes one primary
recommendation with four corollaries. m e motivation for
this recommendation is discussed below in the sections on
theoretical computing and on image processing and analy-
sis, while more specific details of the recommendation
are given in Appendix A. The recommendation is as
follows:
1. A steady level of funding should be provided for
the purposes of distributing dedicated minicomputer-based
systems throughout the astronomical community, maintaining
and operating them, and replacing them at regular inter-
vals as they become obsolete. In addition, software for
these facilities must be developed and/or provided and
maintained. The necessary facilities are estimated to be
equivalent to 30 of the "canonical" systems described in
Appendix A. Approximately one third of the capability is
needed for theoretical computations and the remaining two
thirds for image processing and analysis. We estimate
that the steady funding level required to implement this
recommendation is as follows:
$1.5 million/year for capital equipment
$0.7 million/year for equipment maintenance
$1.5 million/year for (software) personnel
Although the funding agencies should be responsible for
the capital equipment costs, the maintenance and person-
nel costs provide an opportunity for cost sharing. The
annual cost to the funding agencies will be $2.6 million
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to $3.7 million/year depending on the degree of cost
sharing achieved.
1A. (Corollary) There exist computational prob-
lems of outstanding importance to astrophysics that can
be solved only with the aid of the most advanced comput-
ers. We urge the funding agencies to use their influence
to ensure that qualified astrophysicists continue to have
access to the largest and most sophisticated computing
equipment.
1B. (Corollary) Funding of small theoretical
research programs and university computer centers should
continue in those cases for which the level of funding
does not justify the purchase of dedicated systems. m e
cooperative arrangements made by some astronomers with
large laboratories for the purpose of gaining access to
the largest and fastest computers are very important and
should be continued.
1C. (Corollary) In order to minimize the duplica-
tion of image-analysis software development efforts, the
National Astronomy Centers should take the lead in devel-
oping portable, well-documented software and assisting
users with the implementation and operation of this
software on the facilities at their home institutions.
This is estimated to require an additional man-year per
center per year over and above that needed to satisfy the
internal software requirements of the Centers.
ID. (Corollary) The establishment of decentralized
astronomical computational facilities will require consid-
erable coordination. A permanent committee should be
formed, perhaps under the auspices of the American Astro-
nomical Society (AAS). This committee would be charged
with periodically reviewing and evaluating the health of
astronomical computing, coordinating the development of
standardized software and data formats, and promoting
discussion and interchange of ideas among users of astro-
nomical computational facilities.
We make two additional recommendations. Implementation
of these recommendations will be of great value to the
astronomical community; however, they are not so essen-
tial as Recommendation 1.
2. Funding should be provided to establish, maintain,
and operate data archives at each major observatory when
suitable archival media become available (see Section VI,
Data Archiving).
3. m e development of computer-accessible astronomical
Representative terms from entire chapter:
astronomical computational
