Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980's, Volume 1 Report of the Astronomy Survey Committee (1982) / Chapter Skim
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5 PREREQUISITES FOR NEW RESEARCH INITIATIVES
5 PREREQUISITES FOR NEW RESEARCH INITIATIVES
Pages 123-132
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From page 123... ...
A INSTRUMENTATION AND DETECTORS The Astronomy Survey Committee recommends significantly expanded support for instrumentation and detectors during the coming decade as the most cost-effective way to increase the capabilities of both new and existing telescopes.
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From page 124... ...
In many instances a technological breakthrough is only the first step-one must next ensure an adequate supply of new components to the astronomical community at reasonable cost. Commercially available devices may not be well suited to astronomical needs, which usually include maximum sensitivity together with the lowest possible background noise.
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From page 125... ...
With nearly 100 percent quantum efficiency, high geometric stability, and relatively low readout noise, CCD arrays can be nearly perfect detectors in the optical region; for optical-astronomy applications, however, the devices should have larger area, larger pixels, lower noise, improved blue response, and greater adaptability for large, closepacked mosaics than at present. The wavelength coverage of such detectors can be extended to the w region by the application of high-efficiency phosphor coatings, although this should be tested further.
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From page 126... ...
It is inappropriate that the NSF Astronomy Division bear the burden of supporting the basic theory needed for a balanced program in space astronomy. We recommend that NASA establish a strong, broad program in theoretical astrophysics comparable in scope with the NSF program, as NASA has already done in the area of theoretical solar-terrestrial physics.
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From page 127... ...
The Committee believes that the effectiveness of the National Astronomy Centers would be enhanced by the presence of strong in-house theoretical groups. These groups should support the activities of the Center user communities and should have a number of permanent staff theorists above the critical minimum, as do the Department of Energy national laboratories for research in high-energy physics; it is particularly important that the newly established Space Telescope Science Institute have a strong in-house theoretical staff.
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From page 128... ...
We stress that image processing is only part of the total picture: the inherent complexity of astrophysical phenomena together with the greatly improved ability to measure these phenomena require increasingly sophisticated analytical techniques for the interpretation of observations. Astronomical phenomena typically involve an intricate interplay of several strongly nonlinear effects.
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From page 129... ...
The laboratory research that yields these data has not been funded adequately during the past decade, with increasingly damaging consequences for astronomical investigations. For example, uncertainties in solar opacities have hindered precise predictions of solar neutrino emission, thereby throwing doubt on an important scientific test of our understanding of stellar structure and evolution; lack of accurate molecular data is an obstacle to the quantitative understanding of physical and chemical processes in interstellar clouds and prevents confident use of remotely sensed spectra for an understanding of planetary atmospheres.
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From page 130... ...
E TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT GROUND-BASED OBSERVATORIES The Astronomy Survey Committee recommends expanded support for the technical personnel needed to ensure the develop meet, maintenance, and enhancement of modern astronomical instrumentation at ground-based observatories.
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From page 131... ...
These advances, however, are worthless to astronomy unless observatories have the means to develop, implement, and maintain the working instruments that take advantage of them. The present shortage of technical personnel who are able to assist in the development of instrumentation, as well as in its maintainance and improvement, is a major difficulty.
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From page 132... ...
The Multiple-Mirror Telescope of the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona. (Photo courtesy of G
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