Working Papers

Working Papers

Astronomy and Astrophysics Panel Reports

  • Editor: National Academies Press
  • ISBN: 9780309043830
  • eISBN Pdf: 9780309560191
  • Lugar de publicación:  Estados Unidos
  • Año de publicación digital: 1991
  • Mes: Enero
  • Páginas: 347
  • DDC: 520
  • Idioma: Ingles

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
        • IRO Science Highlights
      • 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.
        • SMEX U V Survey.
      • 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
          • High Energy Neutrinos
        • 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
      • NSF
      • NASA
      • DOE
    • 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
      • NSF
      • NASA
      • DOE
      • All agencies
    • POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 90'S: LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS
      • NSF
      • NASA
      • DOE and NIST
    • 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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