Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980's, Volume 1 Report of the Astronomy Survey Committee (1982) / Chapter Skim
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2 RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS IN THE 1980S
2 RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS IN THE 1980S
Pages 13-36
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From page 13... ...
The present Committee's recommendations take explicit account of such programs and build upon them. The Committee calls particular attention to the need for support of the following approved and continuing programs, for which the order of listing carries no implication of priority: Space Telescope and the associated Space Telescope Science Institute; second-generation Space Telescope instrumentation; the Gamma Ray Observatory; NASA level-of-effort observational programs, including research with helloing aircraft.
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From page 14... ...
astronomy in the 1980's is discussed in Chapter 4. SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDED PROGRAM The Astronomy Survey Committee recommendations for a program in astronomy and astrophysics for the 1980's fall into three general categories: Prerequisites for never research initiatives; New programs; and Programs for study and development.
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From page 15... ...
Array of radio telescopes designed to produce radio images with an angular resolution of 0.3 milliarcsecond. Among many potential applications of profound importance, this instrument will probe the small-scale structure surrounding the enigmatic energy sources in the cores of quasars and active galactic nuclei and will directly determine the distance scale within our Galaxy with unprecedented accuracy.
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From page 16... ...
4. The construction of opticallinfrared telescopes in the 2-5-m class, to observe transient phenomena, conduct long-term survey and surveillance programs, provide crucially needed groundbased support to space astronomy, and permit the development of instrumentation under realistic observing conditions.
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From page 17... ...
Other programs of outstanding scientific merit, in which the order of listing carries no implication of priority, are as follows: · A spatial interferometer for observations of high angular resolution in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum; · A program of high-precision optical astrometry; and · A temporary program to maintain scientific expertise at U.S. universities during the 1980's through a series of competitive awards to young astronomers.
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From page 18... ...
In the cases of the New Programs, the division between spaceand ground-based projects is clear. Funds listed for the Explorer program represent an augmentation to NASA'S level-of-effort budget for that program; the operations costs listed for ground-based projects, together with the temporary program to maintain scientific expertise at U.S.
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From page 19... ...
Other important programs: · Spatial interferometer for the mid-infrared (including $1 million for operations) · High-precision optical astrometry program · Temporary program to maintain scientific expertise at U.S.
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From page 20... ...
If, as anticipated, NSF will provide roughly half of the additional funds required for the Prerequisites for New Research Initiatives, an increase of about 30 percent in the Astronomy Division's operations budget over the real level of expenditures during the 1970's will be required for NSF to carry out its share of the recommended program over the next decade. Funds needed by NSF for major construction over the next 10 years will also be substantially higher than those expended during the 1970's, which saw the completion of only one major project, the Very Large Array, at a cost of $78 million.
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From page 21... ...
Since the publication of the Greenstein report, the study of interstellar molecules at millimeter wavelengths has yielded insight into the process of star formation; as the science has progressively moved to shorter wavelengths, there has now evolved a need for a smaller, more precisely figured telescope of 25-m diameter, still offering high sensitivity and spatial resolution but operable at wavelengths down to 1 mm. The recommendation for a large centimeter-wave antenna was not implemented, although existing facilities for observations at wavelengths longer than 1 cm have been maintained and in some cases upgraded.
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From page 22... ...
Support has increased substantially, through the funding of two major ground-based infrared telescopes (the 2.3-m University of Wyoming Infrared Observatory reflector and the 3-m Infrared Telescope Facility operated by NASA on Mauna Kea) , the Kuiper Airborne Observatory program, and a balloon program.
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From page 23... ...
A recommended increase in support for aircraft, balloons, and rockets did not occur. The Orbiting Solar Observatory program was not continued as recommended; however, major programs of solar observations were carried out on the Apollo Telescope Mount as part of the manned Skylab program and on the Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft, which carried instruments designed principally for the study of solar flares.
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From page 24... ...
Space Science Board (SSB) , particularly through the scientific strategies recommended by SSB'S Committee on Space Astronomy and Astrophysics (CSAA)
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From page 25... ...
· Facilities for the detection of neutrinos from the solar interior. An experiment described in the Greenstein report, employing chlorine detectors at underground sites, can now be supplemented by investigations employing alternative detector materials, particularly gallium.
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From page 26... ...
The Committee considered the contributions that each proposed program could make in response to the scientific opportunities identified. The final priorities reflect primarily the scientific importance of each program, which is discussed in Chapter 5 (in the case of the Prerequisites for the New Research Initiatives)
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From page 27... ...
In the view of the Committee, the construction of the NUB Array and NTT are both of high priority. It will be necessary to complete further, extensive design studies before NTT is initiated, however, whereas the VERB Array utilizes proven technology.
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From page 28... ...
, and Gamma Ray Observatory (projected for launch in 1987-1988) will permit impressive advances to be recorded in astronomical capability across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma rays to radio waves, including x-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and submillimeter radiation.
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From page 29... ...
This requires a careful assessment of various factors, including the personnel available in the relevant subdisciplines of astronomy, the balance of effort among subdisciplines, and the need for complementary observations from different wavelength regions and of different targets. Such assessments are best carried out by the appropriate advisory committees on a continuing basis.
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From page 31... ...
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From page 34... ...
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From page 36... ...
Angular distribution of galaxies brighter than blue magnitude 19, from the Lick Catalog of Galaxies. (Photo courtesy of M
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