This volume contains working papers on astronomy and astrophysics prepared by 15 non-National Research Council panels in areas ranging from radio astronomy to the status of the profession.
- Working Papers
- Copyright
- Preface
- Contents
- Panel Reports
- Radio Astronomy
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- SCIENTIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
- Millimeter and Sub-Millimeter Wavelength Astronomy
- Meter to Hectometer Wavelength Astronomy
- The Sun, Stars, Pulsars, Interstellar Masers, and Extrasolar Planets
- The Planets, Asteroids, and Comets
- Radio Galaxies, Quasars, and Cosmology
- Challenges For Radio Astronomy in the 1990's
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEW FACILITIES
- The Millimeter Array
- Medium Scale New Instruments:
- Small-Scale Projects
- CONTINUING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS ALREADY UNDERWAY
- Facility Operation and Maintenance, Upgrading of Telescopes and Instrumentation
- Projects Already Underway:
- Long Range Programs and Technology Developments
- SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
- International Opportunities
- Balance Between the National Observatories and University Facilities:
- Agency Funding and Management Policies:
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Report of the Infrared Panel
- I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- II. PERSPECTIVE
- III. SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
- A. the Origin of Galaxies
- B. the Origin of Planets, Planetary Systems and Stars
- IV. TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
- V. PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS
- A. Space Projects
- Sirtf Science Highlights
- Sofia Science Highlights
- Smmm Science Highlights
- B. Ground-Based Projects
- C. Performance Comparison
- VI. FUTURE DIRECTIONS
- VII. INFRASTRUCTURE
- Optical/IR from Ground
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Large Scale Programs
- Medium Scale Programs
- Small Scale Programs
- Infrastructure Support
- OPTICAL/INFRARED ASTRONOMY IN THE 1990S
- Research Environment
- Science Opportunities
- The Origin of Structure in the Universe
- The Origin and Evolution of Galaxies
- The Origin of Stars and Planetary Systems
- Technical Developments of the 1980s and Opportunities for the 1990s
- Advances in Telescope Technology
- Advances in Detector Technology
- Auxiliary Instruments
- Pioneering a New Frontier: High Angular Resolution O/IR Astronomy
- Adaptive Optics
- Ground-Based Optical/Infrared Interferometry
- Ground-Based Optical/Infrared Astronomy Outside the US
- RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL: LARGE SCALE PROGRAMS
- Priority 1: A Coordinated Program For Large O/IR Telescopes
- Background
- New Science Enabled by Greater Collecting Area
- New Science Enabled by Diffraction-Limited Imaging
- Expected Performance Gains
- Recommended Program for the 1990s
- RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL: MEDIUM SCALE PROGRAMS
- Priority 1: A Coordinated Program for High Angular Resolution
- Background
- New Science Enabled by High Angular Resolution Observations
- Recommended Program for the 1990s
- Priority 2: A New Generation of 4-M Class Telescopes
- Background
- Recommended Program for the 1990s
- RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL: SMALL SCALE PROGRAMS
- Priority 1: Near-IR And Optical All-Sky Surveys
- A Near-Infrared All Sky Survey
- All-Sky Optical Survey
- Priority 2: A National Astrometric Facility
- RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL: INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES
- Develop, Purchase and Distribute Optical CCDs and Infrared Arrays
- Optical CCDs
- Infrared Arrays: The Future for the 1-5 µM Region
- Infrared Arrays: The Future for Mid-Infrared Arrays
- A Program to Support Large Optics Technology
- Fabrication and Polishing of Large Mirrors
- Fabrication and Polishing of Specialized Optics; Coatings
- Toward a New Generation of Large Filled Aperture Telescopes
- A Program to Archive and Disseminate Astronomical Databases
- A Program for Training New Instrumentalists
- UV-Optical from Space
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Structure of the Panel Report.
- I. THE SCIENCE PROGRAM.
- Planetary Systems.
- Star formation and origins of planetary systems.
- Structure and Evolution of the Interstellar medium.
- Stellar Astrophysics.
- Stellar Populations.
- The galactic and extragalactic distance scale.
- Nature of galaxy nuclei, AGNs, and QSOs.
- Formation and evolution of galaxies at high redshifts.
- Cosmology.
- II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCIENCE PROGRAM.
- III. THE OBSERVATORY-CLASS MISSIONS.
- HST.
- Third Generation Instruments for HST.
- LST - the 6 m Successor to HST.
- Next-Generation 16 m Telescope.
- IV. MODERATE AND SMALL MISSIONS.
- Delta-class Explorers.
- Imaging Astrometric Interferometer.
- Small Explorers.
- Optics Development and Demonstration.
- Supporting Ground-based Capabilities.
- V. PREREQUISITES - THE CURRENT SCIENCE PROGRAM.
- Lyman-FUSE.
- HST Optimization: Operations, WF/PC II, STIS and NICMOS.
- Recovery of HST's Imaging Capability.
- HST Operations.
- STIS.
- NICMOS.
- The Near-Term Science Program.
- EUVE.
- IUE.
- ASTRO.
- Small and Sub-orbital missions.
- Data analysis, modeling and theory funding; Archives.
- VI. TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE NEXT CENTURY.
- VII. LUNAR-BASED TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTS.
- Interferometry
- KEY POINTS ON INTERFEROMETRY
- Introduction
- Overview of the Programs
- Infrared and Optical Interferometry
- Adaptive Compensation for the Atmosphere
- Gravitational Wave Observatories
- Summary of Recommendations
- Infrared and Optical Interferometry
- A Ground-Based Program
- A Space Program
- Compensating for the Atmosphere with Adaptive Optics
- A Program for Development and Implementation of Adaptive Optics
- Gravitational Waves
- High Frequency Gravitational Wave Sources (LIGO)
- Low Frequency Gravitational Wave Sources (LAGOS)
- A Gravitational Wave Observatory Program
- Laser Gravitational Wave Observatory in Space
- Technology Development During the 1990's
- Prospects for International Collaboration
- Related Issues
- References
- Appendix - Psswg Statement for the Interferometry Panel
- FIGURE CREDITS
- High Energy from Space
- INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS FOR HIGH ENERGY ASTROPHYSICS
- Stellar Activity
- The Interstellar Medium in Our Own and Other Galaxies
- Supernovae and Endpoints of Stellar Evolution
- Nucleosynthesis
- Relativistic Plasmas and Matter Under Extreme Conditions
- Nature of γ-Bursts
- Identification of Black Holes
- Active Nuclei, Including Our Own
- Accretion Physics
- Large-Scale Structure
- Intracluster Medium
- Nature of Dark Matter
- The X-and γ-ray Background
- THE EXISTING EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
- Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)
- Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO)
- XTE
- HETE
- American Participation in Foreign Missions
- Attached Shuttle and Space Station Freedom Payloads
- MAJOR MISSIONS FOR THE 1990S
- A NEW PROGRAM OF MODERATE MISSIONS
- Highest Priority
- Additional Mission Concepts
- NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL MISSIONS
- TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
- X-ray Astronomy
- γ-ray Astronomy
- POLICY ISSUES
- Changes in NASA Management Style
- Use of Expendable Launch Vehicles Versus Manned Missions
- Barriers to Mixing Ground-Based/Space-Based Funding
- Lunar Base
- Mission Operations and Data Analysis Funding
- Line Item for International Instrument Opportunities
- Smaller NASA Programs
- CONCLUSION
- Particle Astrophysics
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- The emergence of a new scientific field
- Cosmology and Particle Physics
- Particle Physics and the Early Universe
- Dark Matter
- Other Relics
- Stellar Physics and Particles
- Solar neutrinos
- Supernovae
- Unconventional Particle Physics and Stellar Physics
- High Energy Gamma Ray and Neutrino Astronomy
- Cosmic Rays
- Cosmic Rays from Space
- Cosmic Rays - Ground Observations
- Highest Scientific Priorities
- Implementation of the Current Program
- Particles and Cosmology
- Particles and Stellar Physics
- High Energy Gamma and Neutrino Astrophysics
- Cosmic Rays
- New Initiatives in the Coming Decade
- Immediate recommendations
- Future Initiatives
- Longer Term
- Essential Technological Developments
- Cryogenic Detectors of Particles.
- New Solar Neutrino Techniques
- New Extensive Air Shower Detectors
- An Active Balloon Program
- Critical Institutional Issues
- The Funding of Particle Astrophysics
- Recommended Funding Mechanisms
- Recommended Facilities
- International Collaborations
- Education and Technology
- Theory and Laboratory Astrophysics
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- I - INTRODUCTION
- II - SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 90'S
- THEORY IN THE 90'S
- The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe
- Galaxies
- Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium
- Stars
- High-Energy Astrophysics
- The Solar System
- LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS IN THE 90'S
- Molecular, Atomic and Optical Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Particle Physics
- III - FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
- RECOMMENDATIONS BY AGENCY: THEORY
- RECOMMENDATIONS BY AGENCY: LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS
- NSF
- NASA
- DOE
- NIST
- All agencies
- IV. BASIS - THE SUCCESSES OF THE 80'S
- THEORY IN THE 80'S
- The Solar System
- The Interstellar Medium and Star Formation
- Stars
- High Energy Astrophysics
- Galaxies and Cosmology
- LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS IN THE 80'S
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Plasma Physics
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- V - POLICY ISSUES
- AGENCY RESPONSES TO FIELD COMMITTEE REPORT
- POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 90'S: THEORY
- POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 90'S: LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS
- VI. SUMMARY
- Solar Astronomy
- 0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- 0.1 STRONGLY-SUPPORTED MAJOR ONGOING PROJECTS
- 0.2 NEW GROUND-BASED SOLAR PROJECTS
- 0.3 NEW SPACE-BASED SOLAR PROJECTS
- 0.4 STRONGLY-SUPPORTED MAJOR INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECTS
- 0.5. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY CONCERNS
- 0.6. ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
- 1. AN OVERVIEW OF MODERN SOLAR PHYSICS
- 1.1 GENERAL PERSPECTIVES
- 1.2 THE FRONTIERS AND GOALS FOR THE 1990S
- 1.2.1 The Solar Interior
- 1.2.2 The Solar Surface
- 1.2.3 The Outer Solar Atmosphere: Corona and Heliosphere
- 1.2.4 The Solar-Stellar Connection
- 2. GROUND-BASED SOLAR PHYSICS
- 2.1 INTRODUCTION
- 2.2 STATUS OF MAJOR PROJECTS AND FACILITIES
- 2.3 A PRIORITIZED GROUND-BASED PROGRAM FOR THE 1990S
- 2.3.1 Prerequisites
- 2.3.2 Prioritization
- 2.3.3 The Major New Initiative: Solar Magnetohydrodynamics, and the Lest.
- 2.3.3.1 The Large Earth-based Solar Telescope (LEST)
- 2.3.3.2 Infrared Facility Development
- 2.3.4 Moderate Initiatives
- Global Solar Dynamics
- Gravity Modes in the Solar Interior
- A Solar-Dedicated Frequency-Agile Radio Army
- A Large-Aperture Reflecting Coronagraph (LARC)
- Tomography of the Convection Zone
- Macroscopic Electric Fields
- Precision Solar Photometric Telescopes
- 2.3.5 Interdisciplinary Initiatives
- Neutrino Research
- NRAO Millimeter Array (MMA)
- An Antarctic Observatory for Long-Duration Observations
- The Canadian Compact Cm/dm Array
- Stellar Oscillations
- Stellar Magnetic Activity
- 2.4 CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY
- 3. SPACE OBSERVATIONS FOR SOLAR PHYSICS
- 3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
- 3.2 ONGOING PROGRAMS
- 3.2.1 U.S. Programs
- 3.2.2 Non-U.S. Programs
- 3.3 NEW MISSIONS
- 3.3.1 The Orbiting Solar Laboratory
- 3.3.2 The High Energy Solar Physics (Hesp) Mission
- 3.3.3 "Quick" Opportunities in Space
- 3.3.4 Other missions
- 3.4 The Space Exploration Initiative
- 3.5 Solar-Terrestrial Physics
- 3.6 Conclusions and Summary
- 4. TECHNOLOGY FOR SOLAR PHYSICS IN THE 1990S
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Ground-Based Solar Physics
- 4.2.1 Adaptive Optics
- 4.2.2 Analysis of Extremely Large Data Sets
- 4.2.3 Instrumentation
- 4.3 Space-Based Solar Physics
- 4.3.1 New Technology
- 4.3.2 Large Structures in Space
- 4.3.3 High-Energy Instrumentation
- 5. POLICY AND RELATED PROGRAMMATIC RECOMMENDATIONS
- 5.1. University Research and Education
- 5.2. Facilitating Solar Research
- 5.3. Integrated Support of Solar Research
- 5.4. Computing
- 5.5. Theory Initiatives
- 5.6 Recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences Study on Solar Physics from the Ground
- Planetary Astronomy
- INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
- STATE OF THE PROFESSION
- SCIENTIFIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 1990'S
- Origin and Evolution of the Solar System
- Planetary Systems in Formation: Protoplanetary Disks
- Completing the Inventory of the Solar System
- Remnants of Creation: Primitive Material in the Solar System
- An End-Member Planet: Pluto-Charon
- Are We Alone? Detection and Study of Other Planetary Systems
- Comparative Planetology: Understanding Planetary Processes
- Dynamics of Planetary Atmospheres
- Planetary Rings and Ring Dynamics
- Composition and Structure of the Atmospheres of Giant Planets
- Volcanoes of Io
- Mineralogy of the Martian Surface
- High-Precision Dynamical Studies
- CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS
- PROPOSED PROJECTS AND FACILITIES
- Sirtf: the Space Infrared Telescope Facility
- SOFIA: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
- Search for Other Planetary Systems from Earth Orbit
- The Orbiting Planetary Telescope (OPT/PTEL)
- Infrared-Optimized 8-meter-Class Telescope
- Arecibo Radar Facility Upgrade
- Astrometric Telescope for Planet Detection
- RECOMMENDATIONS
- Projects and Facilities: Prioritized Panel Recommendations
- Additional Recommendations
- Computing and Data Processing
- I. OVERVIEW
- The Emerging National Information Infrastructure
- Machines for the 1990's: Workstations to Supercomputers
- Lessons from the '80s
- Arrangement of This Report
- II. THE TRANSFORMATION TO AN DIGITAL ASTRONOMY
- Supertelescopes
- Observing from your Desktop
- Astrophysics in a Numerical Laboratory
- Community Software
- III. THE NEED FOR AN NATIONAL ARCHIVE: SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO THROW AWAY DATA ?
- Historical Considerations
- Problems and Opportunities for Archiving Ground-Based Observations
- Impediments to Establishing an Data Archive for Ground-Based Astronomy
- Compatibility of Ground-Based and Space-Based Archives
- IV. HIGH-PERFORMANCE DATA PROCESSING: OBSERVATIONAL IMAGES AND THEORETICAL SIMULATIONS
- Case Study A: Realistic Dynamical Simulations of Complex Systems
- Parameters Needed for three Dimensional Simulations
- Memory
- Storage
- Communications
- Speed
- Local Storage
- Viewing
- Case Study B: Plasma Astrophysics
- Computational Requirements: Microscopic Plasma Simulations
- Computational Requirements: Macroscopic System Models
- Case Study C: CCD Optical Images and Image Processing
- Automated Image Analysis Software
- A 100 Million Pixel Imager
- Terabit digital archives
- Case Study D: A "Typical" Large VLA Data Processing Request
- V. NATIONAL HIGH PERFORMANCE NETWORKING: OBSERVATIONAL IMAGES AND THEORETICAL SIMULATIONS
- The NRI Blanca National Gigabaud Testbed
- BIMA-A High Performance Computing Observatory on the Gigabaud Testbed
- Remote Control of Fourth Dimension Supercomputers
- Policy Opportunities
- I. INTRODUCTION
- II. THE CONTEXT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
- III. REVIVING THE NATION'S GROUND-BASED ASTRONOMY PROGRAM
- a) Why Ground-based Astronomy?
- b) The Unique Role of the National Science Foundation in American Astronomy: the Importance of an Strong NSF Program
- C) The Decline in U.S. Ground-based Astronomy
- d) Augmenting the NSF Astronomy Budget
- e) The Role of NOAO in Ground-Based Night-Time Astronomical Research
- IV. A VIGOROUS PROGRAM OF SPACE ASTROPHYSICS
- a) An Enhanced Explorer Program
- b) Costs and Management of Small and Moderate Missions
- c) A Renewed Partnership with Universities and Industry
- d) Astrophysics Within the Space Exploration Initiative
- e) A Vigorous Program of Suborbital and Airborne Research
- f) The NASA Research and Analysis Programs
- g) The Problems of the Hubble Space Telescope
- V. AN EDUCATION INITIATIVE IN ASTRONOMY
- VI. OTHER POLICY ISSUES
- a) Science Advice to the Government Regarding Astronomy and Astrophysics
- b) International Cooperation and Competition
- c) Archiving and Distribution of Astronomical Data
- d) Multi-Wavelength Observations of Variable Sources
- Benefits to the Nation from Astronomy and Astrophysics
- KEY POINTS
- I. INTRODUCTION
- II. SCIENCE EDUCATION AND LITERACY
- A. Formal Education
- 1. College-Level Courses
- 2. Pre-College Education and Teacher Training
- B. Informal Education and Scientific Literacy
- 1. Television
- 2. Astronomy in Print
- 3. Observatories, Planetariums, and Museums
- 4. Radio and Telephone Hot Lines
- 5. Amateur Astronomy
- B. Contributions to the Pool of Scientifically Trained Personnel
- 1. Ph.D. Recipients
- 2. B.A./B.S. Recipients
- III. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, SPIN-OFFS, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR
- A. Medicine
- B. Industry
- C. Defense
- D. Energy and the Environment
- E. Everyday Life
- F. Looking Ahead
- G. Astronomy and the Private Sector
- IV. MAN'S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
- V. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND COOPERATION IN ASTRONOMY
- VI. SYNERGISM WITH OTHER SCIENCES
- A. Historical Examples
- B. Nuclear and Particle Physics
- C. Physics of Fluids and Plasmas
- D. Chemistry, Spectroscopy, and Atomic Physics
- E. Geophysics
- F. Environmental Sciences
- G. Looking Ahead
- VII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- VIII. REFERENCES
- Status of the Profession
- KEY POINTS ON THE STATUS OF THE PROFESSION
- INTRODUCTION
- THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF ASTRONOMY
- How Many Astronomers Are There?
- How Active Are the Astronomers?
- How Can We Characterize the Astronomical Community?
- Results of the Field Committee Report on Personnel Issues
- THE FUNDING OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH
- Support from the National Science Foundation
- Support from NASA
- ACCESS TO MAJOR TELESCOPES
- ASTRONOMY AS AN PROFESSION
- The Growth of ''Firm Money'' Positions
- What Can We Say About the "Typical" Astronomer's Career?
- What is the Job Situation for Astronomers?
- EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
- What Can Astronomers Do About Improving General Science Education?
- What Can Astronomers Do About Improving Pre-College Science Education?
- What Can Astronomers Do About Improving College Education?
- What education issues face the astronomical Community?
- REFERENCES
- Science Opportunities Panel
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