A Strategy for Ground-Based Optical and Infrared Astronomy

• COMMITTEE ON ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
• PREFACE
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• I INTRODUCTION
• II THE STATUS OF OIR ASTRONOMY
  • The AASC Report
  • Current Resources for OIR Astronomy
  • The NSF Astronomy Budget
  • The Gemini Project
  • NOAO
  • Antarctic Programs
  • The Independent Observatories
• III OPPORTUNITIES IN OIR ASTRONOMY
  • The Allure of Astronomy
  • The Promise of New Technologies
  • Scientific Challenges
  • The Diversity of OIR Astronomy
  • Principles for Maximizing Scientific Yield
• IV NOAO IN THE GEMINI ERA
  • Introduction
  • The Gemini Era
  • The Gemini Project
  • Other Telescopes
  • Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory
  • Kitt Peak National Observatory
  • Instrumentation
  • Detector Supply
  • Adaptive Optics
  • The Development Process
  • Who Should Build the Facility Instruments for NOAO Telescopes?
  • Data Analysis Software
  • Observer Support
  • Summary Recommendations for NOAO
  • Role of USGPO
  • Role of CTIO
  • Role of KPNO
  • Role of NOAO Tucson
• V INSTRUMENTATION AT INDEPENDENT OBSERVATORIES
  • Background
  • A New Program for Instruments at Independent Observatories
  • Guidelines for National Access
  • Review of Proposals for Instrument Development
• VI PROGRESS WITHIN A CONSTRAINED BUDGET
  • Overview
  • No-Growth Scenario
  • Minimal Growth Scenario
  • Modest Growth Scenario
  • Support of Space Astronomy Missions
  • Summary

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