Working Papers Astronomy and Astrophysics Panel Reports (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Policy Opportunities
Policy Opportunities
Pages 283-300
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From page 283... ...
· The budget of the NSF Astronomy Division, in constant dollars, should be doubled during the next 5 years in order to recover ground lost during the past decade, to ensure continued US leadership in ground-based astronomy, and to realize the scientific benefits of the space program. NSF-Astronomy should undertake the construction of new facilities only in the context of a strategic plan in which the university grants program is adequate to support excellent research programs and the most productive and highest quality observational facilities can be supported adequately.
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From page 284... ...
It provides advanced computing power to astrophysicists through the national supercomputing centers and the national research network. In addition, the NSF Astronomy Division initiated the solar Global Oscillation Network project and responded to the collapse of the Green Bank radio telescope by funding the construction of a modern fully-steerable 100-m radio telescope.
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From page 285... ...
NASA's Astrophysics Division has made plans to strengthen the infrastructure of university science in support of its missions. These include support for individual scientists through the Astrophysics Data Program and data analysis programs of individual missions, and a commitment to make space data available to all qualified scientists.
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From page 286... ...
DoE scientists have been leaders in calculations of gravitational collapse, supernova explosions, nucleosynthesis, and stellar opacity, and in observations of cosmic X-ray and gamma ray sources. The Space Exploration Initiative has the potential to provide new astronomical observing capabilities that can qualitatively improve astronomical resolution and sensitivity.
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From page 287... ...
Although these statistics are probably influenced by the lack of launch opportunities for astronomical spacecraft during the 1980's, it is clear that ground-based observations are fundamental to astronomical research. The case for an excellent.
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From page 288... ...
Long-term deleterious consequences of these policies, now apparent, are detailed below. The specific effects for the University Grants Program and the National Observatories illustrate the impact (all budgetary figures are expressed in real dollars corrected using NSAC See Table 1]
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From page 289... ...
to U.S. GNP9 1.003 1.06 1.003 1.003 0.71 0.76 0.55 1.003 0.76 0.36 1.003 0.96 0.80 coos 0.78 1.003 0.81 0.63 1 The NSP base budget includes the university grants program and funds for the operation and maintenance of the National Observatories.
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From page 290... ...
a) An Enhanced Explorer Program We recommend that NASA develop a more vigorous program of missions with reduced complexity and shorter times from inception to completion.
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From page 291... ...
That is approximately the necessary rate for a robust Explorer program for astrophysics alone, but the current Explorer budget must also support missions for several other disciplines of space science. Thus, a doubling of the Explorer budget is the minimum needed to maintain a vigorous program of astrophysics Explorer missions assuming that half the budget will be devoted to astrophysics missions.
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From page 292... ...
The pay-o~ provided by the opportunity to participate directly in instrument development is apparent from the established track records of suborbital programs. Examples include: the explosive growth in our understanding of the interstellar medium due to the development of ultraviolet spectroscopy, initiated through the rocket program; the development of powerful new gamma ray telescopes through the balloon program; and the invaluable role of the KAO in the professional development of most currently active and prominent researchers in infrared and submillimeter astronomy.
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From page 293... ...
- theoretical investigations needed to interpret data from space missions, to enable better planning of future missions, and to gain a deeper understanding of the universe. NASA has recognized that the support of these activities is inadequate and plans to increase its support of these activities through the Astrophysics Data Program, the Astrophysical Theory Program, the Bubble Fellowship Program, the Long-Term Space Analysis Program, and individual research grants.
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From page 294... ...
One is the training of astrophysicists. Modern astrophysics research requires people of high talent trained in diverse specializations.
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From page 295... ...
They include, among other ideas: · Expand summer programs and workshops at universities and national research centers for in-service training of science teachers. These workshops provide the best opportunities for science teachers to gain direct experience with modern astronomical research and to make ongoing contacts with astronomers who are committed to improving science education.
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From page 296... ...
bJ International Cooperation and Competition Research in astronomy and astrophysics has always been an international enterprise. Important astronomical research programs are now being carried out by many nations.
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From page 297... ...
International cooperation in building major facilities is appropriate when the nature of the project is inherently international, when the project combines complementary capabilities that exist in different nations, or when the project is too complex or costly for individual nations. Examples which meet these criteria are the Global Oscillation Network for studying Solar seismology, intercontinental radio interferometry, several space missions, and, possibly, a permanent manned observatory on the moon.
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From page 298... ...
Subsequent steps toward an international archive of astronomical data may include facilities to make archived data themselves accessible through electronic networks, the incorporation of previously archived data into modern storage media, the production of archives of processed data products, and the critical evaluation of astronomical data bases. The agencies should support the steps described above on a case-by-case basis when the scientific benefits of the project justify the cost.
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From page 299... ...
NASA should consider the development of spacecraft dedicated to multi-wavelength observations of variable sources, and NASA and NSF should work together to establish a dedicated capability for providing simultaneous ground-based optical, infrared, and radio observations of sources that are observed by NASA spacecraft.
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From page 300... ...
VANDEN BOUT, National Radio Astronomy Observatory CART WESTERHOUT, U.S. Naval Observatory JAMES WESTPHAL, California Institute of Technology R
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