Thread 4: Major NSF/ground recommendations to accomplish the #astro2020 vision:
The first ground recommendation is a US Extremely Large Telescope program with the US taking a share totaling 50% in the Thirty Meter and Giant Magellan Telescopes, targeting 25% of each
Final participation is contingent on a NSF review showing demonstrated viability of the projects, a final site selection for TMT, and a clear governance plan.
Large ground-based telescopes are the most flexible scientific tool known to humans - almost infinitely adaptable to the science questions of the next decades. US ELT capability is critical for essentially all the science questions identified in the report.
The second recommendation is the Cosmic Microwave Background Stage 4 program. This would be a collaboration between NSF and DOE. Telescopes in Chile and at the South Pole would push cosmic microwave background studies to the next level.
It must be capable of general astrophysics, not oy cosmology; these wavelengths are an important window on what the universe is doing. It should provide transient alerts and calibrated and useable maps on a rapid cadence.
The third large ground recommendation is the next-generation Very Large Array, ngVLA. This replaces the VLA with something an order of magnitude more sensitive and with far greater angular resolution.
This capability could probe planet formation, study the flow of gas in galaxies, resolve the surface of stars, and explore the transient universe.
NGVLA is an extremely ambitious project - it would be the largest NSF has ever undertaken. The report recommends a program to support science design, development, cost studies, and prototyping. After a review, the program would move to MREFC construction.
Although they are not in our direct purview, we support physics/astrophysics facilities such as the Ice Cube Gen 2 neutrino observatory and development for future gravitational wave observatories
Finally, NSF’s mid-scale program should be enhanced. There are many compelling ideas for astronomical facilities at the $20M-100M level - far to many for current funding. We recommend the mid-scale program be expanded, and include both open calls and strategic priority areas.
The latter would include time-domain, innovative radio capabilities, massively multiplexed spectroscopy, and facility telescope instruments.
The report recognizes that US ground-OIR capabilities are falling behind ESO, while the time available to the broad US community is shrinking. Enhancing those capabilities through the mid-scale instrumentation program, with broad benefits to the whole US community, is key.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
