Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s (2023) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 10-30
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From page 11... ...
Six Nobel Prizes for discoveries made using astronomical data have been awarded over the past decade alone (dark energy, gravitational waves, neutrino oscillations, the discovery of exoplanets, cosmology, supermassive black holes)
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The richness of these three themes demands that a broad and varied suite of capabilities be sustained over the full electromagnetic spectrum and in the new windows of gravitational waves and high-energy neutrinos. Within each overarching theme, with its multiple science objectives, the survey identifies a priority science area that captures the most transformative and far-reaching goal, where, given new, ambitious facilities, we are poised to take giant strides forward.
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From page 13... ...
This decadal survey's science theme of Worlds and Suns in Context encompasses the interlinked studies of stars, planetary systems, and the solar system. Within this broader science theme, the survey has identified the priority science area of Pathways to Habitable Worlds with the goal of trying to discover worlds that could resemble Earth and answer the fundamental question: "Are we alone? " Such planets will be found in the "habitable zone" of their parent stars -- not too close and hot and not too distant and cold.
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14 PATHWAYS TO DISCOVERY IN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS FOR THE 2020s of stars possess such a planet. The task for the next decades will be finding the easiest of such planets to characterize, and then studying them in detail, searching for signatures of life. Life on Earth has profoundly altered the planet's atmosphere (Figure 1.1)
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The New Messengers and New Physics theme captures the key scientific questions associated with a broad range of inquiries, from astronomical constraints on the nature of dark matter and dark energy to the new astrophysics enabled by combined observations with particles, neutrinos, gravitational waves, and light. The unknown physical natures of dark matter and dark energy, both discovered through astronomical measurements, remain outstanding grand challenges in both physics and astronomy, and great observational progress will be made in the coming decade.
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The ground-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory's (LIGO's) discovery in 2015 of gravitational waves from a pair of merging 30 solar mass black holes is certainly one of the watershed moments in physics and astronomy of the past few decades.
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From page 17... ...
• A sensitive next-generation radio observatory more powerful than the Very Large Array (VLA) to detect the jets of relativistic gas produced by neutron stars and black holes, including those in mergers observed by ground- and space-based gravitational wave facilities.
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The science theme of Cosmic Ecosystems captures the interconnectedness of these astronomical systems across cosmic scales. Within this theme, the decadal survey has identified the priority science area of Unveiling the Hidden Drivers of Galaxy Growth.
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• A next-generation IR/O/UV large space telescope to trace much of the same physics as the ELTs but in the nearby, evolved universe, and in dramatic detail, revealing the full multiphase complexity of the local ecosystem. • To complement these capabilities, a capable far-IR and/or X-ray mission will further transform these views by peering into the dusty hearts of galaxies to reveal enshrouded accreting black holes, or tracing the hottest phases of gas driven outward by this same accretion, with the spatial and spectral resolution needed to isolate critical physical quantities in massive galaxies. • Investments in theory and in the community of scientific experts exploring these data are essential for synthesizing a new scientific foundation for galaxy evolution from these observational advances. 1.2 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT The range and variety of compelling scientific opportunities illustrates the dynamic nature of modern astrophysics, with future directions propelled both by steady evolution and by dramatic revolution, powered by new discoveries, emerging capabilities, and an increasingly diverse set of ideas.
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leadership in the development of the needed technologies and capabilities, and the high priority these have for this survey, it is essential for NASA to lead their development. However, without a major change in the approach to developing strategic missions, combined with expanding the range of mission scales, it will take many decades to realize the necessary range of observational capabilities.
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Changing the defaults under which astronomy is practiced will happen only with energetic engagement and a diversity-, equity-, and inclusion-focused lens. 1.3 FRAMEWORK FOR THE SURVEY'S RECOMMENDATIONS In the context described above, the decadal survey committee weighed many considerations in designing its recommended program (Figure 1.2)
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Additional prescriptions are unlikely to be helpful to the agencies given the many constraints -- fiscal, political, and organizational -- that they are faced with. The greatest challenge faced by the survey committee in developing new recommendations for the nation's space astrophysics program is how to realize large strategic missions, yet at the same time achieve the wavelength balance and the overlapping operational lifetimes that characterized NASA's Great Observatories, a model that so successfully propelled many, varied fields of astrophysics.
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From page 23... ...
The survey addresses this in two ways. First, the recommendations in this report emphasize more significant project and technology maturation prior to a commitment to, and commencement of, implementation.
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All of these factors shaped the recommended programs and their phasing. Worlds and Suns in Context Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation Program IR/O/UV Large strategic mission Possible Far-IR Probe Possible X-Ray Probe Time domain/multi-messenger program New Messengers and New Physics ngVLA USELT(s)
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Astronomy education is effective as a broad gateway to STEM careers. Considering the rapidly increasing need for advanced computational skills in both the public and private sector for students to be competitive, embedding computational training in the undergraduate curriculum is even more important to integrate in the coming decade.
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From page 26... ...
This program is not currently at a healthy level, and the recommendation for an augmentation over 5 years is designed to restore success rates to a healthy competitive environment. This is the highest-priority item among the many recommendations for building the foundation of the nation's research enterprise.
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From page 27... ...
Time-Domain Astrophysics Program (Highest Priority Sustaining Activity for Space) Exploring the cosmos in the multi-messenger and time domains is a key scientific priority for the coming decade, with new capabilities for discovery on the horizon with the Rubin Observatory, Roman, LIGO/ Virgo and the Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA)
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1.5.4 Programs That Enable Future Visions Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation Program (Highest Priority for Enabling Programs for Space) NASA's flagship missions are driven by transformative scientific visions, and they advance a broad range of scientific objectives.
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. Decision Rules: Prior to commencing mission formulation, a successful Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation program must be completed and a review held to assess plans in light of mission budgetary needs and fiscal realities.
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From page 30... ...
1.6 ADDITIONAL ADVICE In addition to the vision for new, recommended future endeavors, this decadal survey report offers advice on aspects of the agencies' programs aimed at optimizing returns for their existing programs.
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