Division of Astronomical Sciences Program Update
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Transcript of Division of Astronomical Sciences Program Update
Division of Astronomical Sciences
Program UpdateAAACAAAC
11 February 200811 February 2008
Outline
Interagency and NSF newsInteragency and NSF news Brief Senior Review implementation reportBrief Senior Review implementation report
Reiterate concernsReiterate concerns Planning and Priority SettingPlanning and Priority Setting
Taking stock as we enter a new Decade SurveyTaking stock as we enter a new Decade Survey Responding to AAAC Task ForcesResponding to AAAC Task Forces FY2008/FY2009 Budget and Forward LookFY2008/FY2009 Budget and Forward Look
Good Interagency News!
NSF-NASA Virtual Observatory MOU signed and NSF-NASA Virtual Observatory MOU signed and solicitation released!solicitation released!
Excellent interactions with both NASA and DOEExcellent interactions with both NASA and DOE Joint consideration of decadal survey proposal review Joint consideration of decadal survey proposal review
and structure (including OMB and OSTP)and structure (including OMB and OSTP) Regular, fruitful discussions between AST and NASA Regular, fruitful discussions between AST and NASA
Astrophysics DivisionAstrophysics Division NSF AST – DOE HEP interface very effective in on-NSF AST – DOE HEP interface very effective in on-
going, joint reviews, decisions, and oversightgoing, joint reviews, decisions, and oversight
Other AST News 2008 Committee of Visitors
Exceedingly important and useful community oversight of all of AST’s activity
John Carlstrom and Bruce Margon co-chairs of the committee
Met 6 – 8 February; report to MPS AC in April FY2007 Close out
Success rate – 24% for AAG NSB declared ATST to be ready for inclusion in a future
budget; New line in FY2009 MREFC account for Design and Development (more in budget discussion)
UK Position in Gemini As a result of a Comprehensive Spending Review and As a result of a Comprehensive Spending Review and
STFC program priorities, it is likely that the UK will STFC program priorities, it is likely that the UK will decrease its share in Gemini, eventually to zero.decrease its share in Gemini, eventually to zero.
Partnership is considering options:Partnership is considering options: New partnersNew partners Part of UK share (~25%) taken up by existing partnersPart of UK share (~25%) taken up by existing partners Hybrids of the aboveHybrids of the above
Clearly the partnership will have to be reformulated and Clearly the partnership will have to be reformulated and the Agreement rewrittenthe Agreement rewritten
Opportunities need to be exploredOpportunities need to be explored Community input welcomedCommunity input welcomed
NRAO Transition Program
Very Long Baseline Array NRAO active in seeking partners - several possibilities,
prospects look good
NAIC (Arecibo) Transition Program Cornell instituted new operational mode to reduce budget
Limited number of receivers supported Reduced time for Astronomy observations by 20% Reduced staffing (30 FTEs), reduced observer support Reduced availability of planetary radar (close in 2008?)
Arecibo director (Kerr) active in seeking partners in Puerto Rico with NSF support (Gov’t, Dept of Education, PR universities, local businesses…) - several proposals being considered/awarded, signs are positive
Involves expanding the educational and outreach activities of the Observatory, building programs for local students, university collaborations
Involves increased focus on technology, training, atmospheric science
NAIC (Arecibo) Transition Program
NSF partnerships GEO/ATM increasing level of support - from $1.7M to
$2.5M per year, and contributing to base operations Other possibilities being pursued within NSF
NSO Transition Program
Support of the Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG++).
{SDO launch now no earlier than Dec 2008} NSO seeking partners - no immediate prospects,
although latest news is some new possibilities opening up
NOAO Transition Program Need to assure a healthy scientific enterprise going into the GSMT era
Define the “System” Appropriate range of aperture and access Necessary instrumentation, maintained and supported
Assure that the system is robust against delays and uncertainty along the path to a GSMT
AST is working with the community and NOAO to determine where re-investment in existing OIR facilities should occur and in the development of an integrated and coordinated “System”
NOAO’s ReSTAR deliberations - report at AAS Defining community needs for aperture 6 meters and less --
telescopes, instrumentation, modes of access and operation, data products, user support - and prioritizing these.
NOAO now forming similar committee to look at > 6 meter
Towards a National GSMT Program
NSF has asked AURA/NOAO to act as NSF’s “Program Manager” for GSMT development
Role similar to NASA center in development of major space missions
Understand and represent the national needs for a GSMT National Science Working Group (expanded from previous SWG) National “Design Reference Mission” to set scientific performance
expectations, operational models - what does the community need? Establish understanding as input to Decade Survey
Promote development at a pace that recognizes both private and federal timescales
Establish appropriate, symmetrical interfaces with TMT and GMT
NOAO Transition Program
NOAO beginning infrastructure improvements at Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo
Updating telescope systems Increasing technical and mountain staff Improving mountain facilities
Restructuring organization to emphasize an integrated, coordinated national System
Instrumentation group changing to emphasize partnerships with universities for future instrumentation, improving instrumentation capabilities on existing telescopes, supporting the System
Infrastructure improvements seriously impacted by FY 2008 budget ‘estimate’ levels.
NSF Response and Implementation
AST is working closely with facilities to understand implications of recommendations as we consider and proceed on implementation.
NSF is active in encouraging and engaging in discussion with other possible partners in facility operations, including international partners and other funding agencies.
NASA, Air Force, other interests within NSF Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Puerto Rican Universities; local business International agency meetings convened by AST
NSF Response and Implementation
AST is undertaking detailed cost reviews of each observatory necessary to understand where cost reductions can be made
Understand operational costs, appropriate staffing levels Compare costs with similar, service-oriented laboratories Consider other operational and business models
Recently signed contract with external firm to conduct the study Expect report by end of 2008
Explore costs and legal issues associated with recommendations e.g. environmental, deconstruction, divestiture, termination costs – engaging outside studies over the next year; first study (for Arecibo) complete
Now constructing the forward look - What can we accomplish as the funds become available under various budget models?
AST Concerns
Apparent short half-life of community attention and/or understanding
Many rumors
Many misunderstandings, statements indicate report was not read (fully) or assimilated
Help in spreading the (accurate) news
AST Concerns
Increasing political pressure and interference with science community-based process and plan.
Budget doubling removes need for Senior Review and invalidates conclusions? {What budget doubling?}
Growth in MREFC account can easily cover Arecibo problem? {MREFC account is for construction only, can not cover operations}
Arecibo future being determined without ATM consultation? {ATM and AST working closely on Arecibo future.}
Letters from members of Congress to NSF Director Bill introduced to guarantee continued support of Arecibo - {but how, and
at what cost to other higher priority programs?} Letters from members of the community to NSF Director -
{Counterproductive, undermines a science-based process, reinforces idea of a self-centered, ‘greedy’ community.}
Planning and Priority Setting(AAAC Retrospective heading into Decade Survey)
Now a true interagency effortNow a true interagency effort NSFNSF NASANASA DOEDOE
National Research Council StudiesNational Research Council Studies Decadal Surveys, etc. - now manyDecadal Surveys, etc. - now many All must involve large segments of All must involve large segments of
astronomical communityastronomical community NRC more approachableNRC more approachable OSTP and OMB part of processOSTP and OMB part of process
Governmental Interagency Working Groups at Governmental Interagency Working Groups at NSTC levelNSTC level
Physics of the Universe – lessons learned Physics of the Universe – lessons learned discussion with OSTPdiscussion with OSTP
Much more proactive international interactionsMuch more proactive international interactions ELT funding agencies groupELT funding agencies group SKA funding agencies groupSKA funding agencies group ASTRONET (EU Decade Survey) ASTRONET (EU Decade Survey)
interactioninteraction Change in ESO leadershipChange in ESO leadership
Challenges remainChallenges remain
Recommendations from AAAC Activities
Task Forces sponsored by Astronomy and Task Forces sponsored by Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC)Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC)
CMB Roadmap (report issued May 2005)CMB Roadmap (report issued May 2005) Dark Energy (report issued in June 2006)Dark Energy (report issued in June 2006) ExoPlanet Task Force this meetingExoPlanet Task Force this meeting
Next Decade Survey will add new Next Decade Survey will add new challengeschallenges
Mid-scale Projects and Infrastructure
A new, “pilot” activityA new, “pilot” activity Response to need for projects/activities between ATI/MRI and MREFC scales Response to need for projects/activities between ATI/MRI and MREFC scales
(~$10M)(~$10M) Need is felt Foundation-wideNeed is felt Foundation-wide Prepare for/lead eventual NSF responsePrepare for/lead eventual NSF response Prepare for next Decade Survey recommendationsPrepare for next Decade Survey recommendations Use as vehicle for CMB, DETF and ExoPTF recommendation responsesUse as vehicle for CMB, DETF and ExoPTF recommendation responses Explore review, management, coordination and oversight mechanismsExplore review, management, coordination and oversight mechanisms Gauge demand while growing appropriate budgetGauge demand while growing appropriate budget
Prime Challenge
The Goal: To evolve the ad hoc collection of projects, as represented by the current portfolio, into a coordinated programmatic framework that can be managed to fulfill a community need.
Current Projects Under Mid-Scale Rubric
Mid-Scale ProjectsMid-Scale Projects VERITAS VERITAS -- Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System-- Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System
V. PankoninV. Pankonin ACTACT -- Atacama Cosmology Telescope -- Atacama Cosmology Telescope
R. Barvainis (V. Pankonin)R. Barvainis (V. Pankonin) SDSS-II SDSS-II -- Sloan Digital Sky Survey II-- Sloan Digital Sky Survey II
V. PankoninV. Pankonin MWAMWA -- Murchison Widefield Array -- Murchison Widefield Array
V. PankoninV. Pankonin QUIETQUIET -- Q/U Imaging ExperimenT -- Q/U Imaging ExperimenT
V. PankoninV. Pankonin POLARBeaRPOLARBeaR -- POLARization of the Background Radiation -- POLARization of the Background Radiation
V. PankoninV. Pankonin DESDES -- Dark Energy Survey -- Dark Energy Survey
N. SharpN. Sharp
Design & Development (D&D) or Technology Development (TDP)Design & Development (D&D) or Technology Development (TDP) LSST LSST -- Large Synoptic Survey Telescope-- Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
C. FoltzC. Foltz GSMTGSMT -- Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope -- Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope
T. BarnesT. Barnes SKA SKA -- Square Kilometre Array-- Square Kilometre Array
R. BarvainisR. Barvainis
Current Status AST organizational structure with Mid-Scale Projects and Infrastructure AST organizational structure with Mid-Scale Projects and Infrastructure
put in place early calendar 2006.put in place early calendar 2006. 5 of 7 current projects were inherited from previous org structure.5 of 7 current projects were inherited from previous org structure.
Map to the future is under study.Map to the future is under study. Internal AST working group looking at a plan to the future for all AST Internal AST working group looking at a plan to the future for all AST
instrumentation related programs.instrumentation related programs. ATM mid-scale solicitation is out; we will monitor for lessons learned.ATM mid-scale solicitation is out; we will monitor for lessons learned. Need to gauge the demand. Need to gauge the demand. Historical proposal receipt, without announcement or solicitation. Historical proposal receipt, without announcement or solicitation.
2002-1; 2004-3; 2005-1; 2006-1; 2007-22002-1; 2004-3; 2005-1; 2006-1; 2007-2 Task Force reports provide framework for more than mid-scale projectsTask Force reports provide framework for more than mid-scale projects
Questions to be answered.Questions to be answered. Should there be a general mid-scale solicitation?Should there be a general mid-scale solicitation? Should there be targeted solicitations? How often?Should there be targeted solicitations? How often? How should a budget for a program and/or a solicitation be set?How should a budget for a program and/or a solicitation be set? For how long should AST support operations? For how long should AST support operations?
Need to get word out to communityNeed to get word out to community
Charting the Future Sine qua non
Healthy grants program Successful completion and operation of ALMA Robust support of base facilities (as defined by Senior
Review) Progress on GSMT, LSST, SKA → “TDPs” Resources for non-MREFC projects → “Mid-scale”
{CMB, DETF, ExoPlanet, next Decade Survey small and moderate}
Playing above against models of budget outlook – Decade Survey guidance
Looking Forward to 2008(At President’s Request Level)
Healthy increase (~10%) in grants program Grant support for facility users under study
Partnerships in Astronomy and Astrophysics Research and Partnerships in Astronomy and Astrophysics Research and Education (PAARE, NSF 07-561)Education (PAARE, NSF 07-561)
New program helping young investigators start instrumentation careers (grad students, post-docs, beginning faculty)
Increases in ATI (30%), TSIP (25%) and UROs NOAO up $2.3M to refurbish and modernize KPNO and
CTIO facilities NRAO up $2M for ALMA early operations GSMT program at $5M and SKA TDP at $3M per year
FY 2008 (As ‘Estimated’ in FY 2009 budget)
AST up by 1.15% or $2.47M (total of $217.86M) (compared to R&RA up 1.32%, MPS up
1.44%) All facilities held flat (except $2M for ALMA
ops) Grants programs roughly constant (ATI,
AAG+POU, CAREER, ESP, etc) Cyber-enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI)
up $1.2M
Looking Forward to FY 2008 (As Enacted)
Language says that AST facilities must be funded at 2008 Request level (increase of ~$6M or 5%).
Impact of NSF-wide programs (CDI…) and language (“transformative research”,..) on AST budget unknown
“Infrastructure” increase in House language? BUT
Providing full ALMA operations ramp ALMA construction looks ok for 2008 Joint NSF/NASA solicitation for Virtual
Astronomical Observatory has gone forward..
FY 2009 Budget Request by Division
FY 2008 FY 2009Estimated Request Amount Percent
Astronomical Sciences $215.39 $217.86 $250.01 $32.15 14.8%
Chemistry 191.22 194.22 244.67 50.45 26.0%
Materials Research 257.27 260.22 324.59 64.37 24.7%
Mathematical Sciences 205.74 211.79 245.70 33.91 16.0%
Physics 248.47 250.52 297.70 47.18 18.8%
Multidisciplinary Activities 32.64 32.70 40.00 7.30 22.3%
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Funding(Dollars in Millions)
Change overFY 2008 EstimatedFY 2007
Actual
NSF overall: +13.0%; $6.85 BNSF R&RA: +16.0%; $5.59BMPS overall: +20.0%; $1.40B
New MPS Investments in NSF-wide and MPS-wide Activities
NSF-wide activities FY 2009 Science and Engineering Beyond Moore’s Law $10.00 M Cyber-enabled Discovery and Innovation $19.05 M Adaptive Systems Technology $ 3.49 M MPS-wide activities MPS – Life Science Interface $ 6.00 M Quantum Information Sciences $ 5.00 M
AST FY 2009 budget highlights
Facilities: NRAO: $61.56M - ALMA ramp up NAIC: $9.60M - planned ramp down NOAO + NSO: $36.83M
ATST moves to MREFC at $2.5M Gemini: $22.0M - continue Aspen
URO’s: $10.0M TSIP: $5.0M AODP: $1.5M
AST FY 2009 budget highlights
Grants CDI: + $2.0M Instrumentation fellowships program Start of Mid-scale activity: $3.0M Start of ‘SR reinvestment’: $3.0M Healthy increases (10-20%) across all programs
- AAG, ATI, CAREER, ESP
MREFC FY 2009 Budget Request
FY 2007 Actual
FY 2008 Estimate
FY 2009 Request
FY 2010 Estimate
FY 2011 Estimate
FY 2012 Estimate
FY 2013 Estimate
FY 2014 Estimate
Ongoing Projects
AdvLIGO - $32.75 $51.43 $46.30 $15.21 $23.73 $15.50 $19.78
ALMA 64.30 102.07 82.25 42.76 13.91 3.00 - -
IceCube 24.38 25.91 11.33 0.95 -
New MREFC FundingAdvanced Technology Solar Telescope - - (D&D) 2.5 - Totals may not add due to rounding.
MREFC Account Funding(Dollars in Millions)
ATST - Next Steps Final EIS (FEIS) is being edited right now. Expect publication in late
spring 2008.
NSF will issue a record of decision based on the FEIS. We assume this will be positive.
Section 106 (of the National Historic Preservation Act) consultations are ongoing. Result will be an MOA signed by consulting parties, the Hawaiian State Historic Preservation Officer (a post currently vacant), and sent to the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation for their information.
FEIS will form the basis for the application for a Conservation District Use Permit. This is basically the Hawaiian building permit to allow construction to start. Normally this is about a six-month process.
Consultations with the FAA and the National Park Service continue. We are making progress with the former.
What has not changed since 2005?
The excitement of the science and its futureThe excitement of the science and its future The stochastic nature of the budget processThe stochastic nature of the budget process The fact that there is no good socket in the The fact that there is no good socket in the
NSF planning process for the plug we have NSF planning process for the plug we have mademade
AST not a big ACI playerAST not a big ACI player Lack of clarity in the MREFC processLack of clarity in the MREFC process