New Worlds, New Horizons A Midterm Assessment (2016) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Summary
Summary
Pages 1-12
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
This vision included mapping the first stars and galaxies as they emerge from the collapse of dark matter and cold clumps of hydrogen, finding new worlds in a startlingly diverse population of extrasolar planets, and exploiting the vastness and extreme conditions of the universe to reveal new information about the fundamental laws of nature. NWNH outlined a compelling program for understanding the cosmic order and for opening new fields of inquiry through the discovery areas of gravitational waves, time-domain astronomy, and habitable planets.
|
From page 2... ...
This first direct detection of gravitational waves confirms Einstein's prediction that gravitational waves exist and that they transport energy through a dynamic spacetime. The waveforms are consistent with general relativity and encode information about the warping of space and time near the event horizons of the black holes.
|
From page 3... ...
is scheduled for launch in late 2018, now on track following a rebaselining in 2011, and it is expected to deliver the groundbreaking scientific capability that was envisioned when it received the highest ranking in the 2001 decadal survey.2 Its superb near-infrared sensitivity and angular resolution will allow detailed characterization of redshift z = 8-12 galaxies that are barely detectable with HST, as well as enable the discovery of the smallest of the universe's first galaxies below the sensitivity limits of current telescopes. JWST will study in unprecedented detail the birth of stars and protoplanetary disks; may detect individual supernovae occurring in the first galaxies; will provide a huge leap in sensitivity for studies of relatively cool planets, including many targets identified by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
|
From page 4... ...
FINDING 3-2: Current projections for LSST performance and data prod ucts promise transformational scientific impact, as envisioned by NWNH. To realize the full scientific potential of this great new facility, funding that enables individual investigators and groups of investigators to deliver the scientific results will be critical.
|
From page 5... ...
Midscale facilities had been funded in the past by NSF, but in an ad hoc manner, and NWNH recommended a program that would enable these activities to be regularly competed at an increased level of funding. NSF-AST created a funding stream for MSIP by combining several existing programs, including its previously unsolicited midscale program, the university radio observatories, and the optical telescope instrumentation program.
|
From page 6... ...
This is because the NSF-AST budget increases anticipated by NWNH did not materialize, and NSF-AST, consistent with the Portfolio Review's guidance, gave higher priority to funding the MSIP program within the constraints imposed by the budget. While NWNH placed strong emphasis on expanding support for individual investigator grants, the core grants programs have declined in real-year dollars and dropped still further in purchasing power over the first half of the decade, follow ing the trends of the overall NSF-AST budget.
|
From page 7... ...
However, divestment is a challenge, and even with the recommended divestment, the projected NSF-AST budgets are not sufficient to fund both the operations of the upcoming new facilities and their research programs. The expected operations costs for ALMA, DKIST, and LSST by the beginning of the next decade will, in the presence of a flat NSF-AST budget, severely constrict the already squeezed mid-scale, small, and individual investigator programs and limit the community's ability to sustain a robust ground-based astronomy and astrophysics program.
|
From page 8... ...
RECOMMENDATION 3-2: NSF and the National Science Board should consider actions that would preserve the ability of the astronomical com munity to fully exploit NSF's capital investments in ALMA, DKIST, LSST, and other facilities. Without such action, the community will be unable to do so because at current budget levels the anticipated facilities operations costs are not consistent with the program balance that ensures scientific productivity.
|
From page 9... ...
In addition, the delay in the implementation of WFIRST over the schedule anticipated in NWNH means that cost growth in WFIRST would limit options for the next decadal survey. RECOMMENDATION 4-1: Prior to Key Decision Point B, NASA should com mission an independent technical, management, and cost assessment of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope, including a quantitative assessment of the incremental cost of the coronagraph.
|
From page 10... ...
If budgets increase, restoring the full E xplorer augmentation would be consistent with the priorities of NWNH. The third-ranked large-class space mission recommended in NWNH was the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)
|
From page 11... ...
Relative to LIGO, typical LISA detections would have higher signal-to-noise ratios and execute many more cycles in band, allowing for more precise measurements and significantly stronger tests of general relativity. The early operation of LPF has been successful, and its results have demonstrated the feasibility of many of the key technologies needed by LISA.5 The committee believes that NASA and ESA together should rethink their strategy for LISA and take steps to reduce mission risk and to maximize its scientific return as recommended below.
|
From page 12... ...
The WFIRST coronagraph, combined with other smaller programs still supported by NASA-APD, represents a decadal investment larger than that envisioned by NWNH. The committee believes that this is an appropriate response to the rapid advancements in exoplanet science but reiterates that WFIRST cost growth and its effect on scientific prioritization and program balance is a major concern.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.