Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey
Encyclopedia
The Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey is a review of astronomy
and astrophysics
literature produced approximately every ten years by the National Research Council
of the National Academy of Sciences
in the United States. The report surveys the current state of the field, identifies research priorities, and makes recommendations for the coming decade. The editing committee is informed by topical panels and subcommittees, dedicated conferences
, and direct community input in the form of white paper
s summarizing the state of the art in each subdiscipline. The most recent report, Astro2010, is currently available in prepublication form, with the final version set for release before the end of 2010.
.
as a priority.
. It also recommends launch of the "Space Infrared Telescope Facility", realized in 2003 as the Spitzer Space Telescope
, the fourth and final in NASA's Great Observatories program
.
with launch planned for 2014 or 2015. The report reaffirms the 1991 recommendation for the completion of the Millimeter Array, now part of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array
international collaboration. It also examines the benefits of a robust astronomy research program to the nation, and expresses concern regarding the percentage of funding tied to a few large projects.
; the structure, distribution, and evolution of exoplanetary systems
; detailed examination of extreme processes including supernovae and the merger of superdense objects; and how galaxies and galaxy clusters formed from the early hot universe. The report also examines technical readiness, scheduling, and funding issues as well as basic science. The recommendations consider a range of funding scenarios based on projected budgets for the major funding agencies, NASA
, the National Science Foundation
, and the Department of Energy
. The top priorities identified by the report include:
Other priorities include Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
(LISA) for measuring gravitational waves and International X-ray Observatory
for investigating black holes and the evolution of large scale structure in the universe. The report also recommends augmenting the Explorer program
for small and medium sized missions with rapid turnaround and high scientific return, and the creation of a Midscale Innovations Program within the National Science Foundation
for funding projects in the $4–135 million range.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
literature produced approximately every ten years by the National Research Council
United States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in the United States. The report surveys the current state of the field, identifies research priorities, and makes recommendations for the coming decade. The editing committee is informed by topical panels and subcommittees, dedicated conferences
Academic conference
An academic conference or symposium is a conference for researchers to present and discuss their work. Together with academic or scientific journals, conferences provide an important channel for exchange of information between researchers.-Overview:Conferences are usually composed of various...
, and direct community input in the form of white paper
White paper
A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that helps solve a problem. White papers are used to educate readers and help people make decisions, and are often requested and used in politics, policy, business, and technical fields. In commercial use, the term has also come to refer to...
s summarizing the state of the art in each subdiscipline. The most recent report, Astro2010, is currently available in prepublication form, with the final version set for release before the end of 2010.
Ground-Based Astronomy: A Ten-Year Program, 1964
The first report, Ground-Based Astronomy: A Ten-Year Program, was released in 1964. The report recommends construction of national observing facilities, including especially mid-sized ground-based optical telescopes.Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1970’s, 1972
The second report, Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1970’s, was released in 1972. It recommends priorities for both space- and ground-based programs, and was instrumental in the eventual construction of the Very Large ArrayVery Large Array
The Very Large Array is a radio astronomy observatory located on the Plains of San Agustin, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, some fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico, USA...
.
Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980’s, 1982
The third report, Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980’s, was released in 1982. It identifies construction of the Very Long Baseline ArrayVery Long Baseline Array
The Very Long Baseline Array is a system of ten radio telescopes controlled remotely from the Array Operations Center in Socorro, New Mexico by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The array works together as the world's largest dedicated, full-time astronomical instrument using the...
as a priority.
The Decade of Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1991
The fourth report, The Decade of Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics, was released in 1991. It recommends launch of the "Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility", which was realized in 1999 as the Chandra X-ray ObservatoryChandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is a satellite launched on STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999. It was named in honor of Indian-American physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar who is known for determining the maximum mass for white dwarfs. "Chandra" also means "moon" or "luminous" in Sanskrit.Chandra...
. It also recommends launch of the "Space Infrared Telescope Facility", realized in 2003 as the Spitzer Space Telescope
Spitzer Space Telescope
The Spitzer Space Telescope , formerly the Space Infrared Telescope Facility is an infrared space observatory launched in 2003...
, the fourth and final in NASA's Great Observatories program
Great Observatories program
NASA's series of Great Observatories satellites are four large, powerful space-based telescopes. Each of the Great Observatories has had a similar size and cost at program outset, and each has made a substantial contribution to astronomy...
.
Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, 2001
The fifth report, Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, was released in 2001. It gives highest priority to the construction and launch of Next Generation Space Telescope, now the James Webb Space TelescopeJames Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope , previously known as Next Generation Space Telescope , is a planned next-generation space telescope, optimized for observations in the infrared. The main technical features are a large and very cold 6.5 meter diameter mirror, an observing position far from Earth,...
with launch planned for 2014 or 2015. The report reaffirms the 1991 recommendation for the completion of the Millimeter Array, now part of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array
Atacama Large Millimeter Array
The Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array is an array of radio telescopes in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Since a high and dry site is crucial to millimeter wavelength operations, the array is being constructed on the Chajnantor plateau at 5000 metres altitude...
international collaboration. It also examines the benefits of a robust astronomy research program to the nation, and expresses concern regarding the percentage of funding tied to a few large projects.
New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2010
The sixth report, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, was released in prepublication form in August 2010, with the final version set to be released by the end of the year. Recommendations for scientific questions to be answered include: the nature of dark energyDark energy
In physical cosmology, astronomy and celestial mechanics, dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to accelerate the expansion of the universe. Dark energy is the most accepted theory to explain recent observations that the universe appears to be expanding...
; the structure, distribution, and evolution of exoplanetary systems
Extrasolar planet
An extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, is a planet outside the Solar System. A total of such planets have been identified as of . It is now known that a substantial fraction of stars have planets, including perhaps half of all Sun-like stars...
; detailed examination of extreme processes including supernovae and the merger of superdense objects; and how galaxies and galaxy clusters formed from the early hot universe. The report also examines technical readiness, scheduling, and funding issues as well as basic science. The recommendations consider a range of funding scenarios based on projected budgets for the major funding agencies, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, and the Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
. The top priorities identified by the report include:
- Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), a proposed space-based telescope to be located at Lagrangian point L2 that will survey and catalogue exoplanetsExtrasolar planetAn extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, is a planet outside the Solar System. A total of such planets have been identified as of . It is now known that a substantial fraction of stars have planets, including perhaps half of all Sun-like stars...
and may help settle questions of the nature of dark energyDark energyIn physical cosmology, astronomy and celestial mechanics, dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to accelerate the expansion of the universe. Dark energy is the most accepted theory to explain recent observations that the universe appears to be expanding...
. - Large Synoptic Survey TelescopeLarge Synoptic Survey TelescopeThe Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is a planned wide-field "survey" reflecting telescope that will photograph the available sky every three nights. The LSST is currently in its design and development phase and will achieve engineering first light four years after construction starts...
(LSST), a proposed wide field ground-based telescope that will provide measurements of weak gravitational lensingWeak gravitational lensingWhile the presence of any mass bends the path of light passing near it, this effect rarely produces the giant arcs and multiple images associated with strong gravitational lensing. Most lines of sight in the universe are thoroughly in the weak lensing regime, in which the deflection is impossible...
and map and record transient or moving phenomena such as supernovae and near-Earth asteroids. - New Worlds Technology Development Program to plan and lay the groundwork for future missions to study nearby Earth-like exoplanets
- Cerro Chajnantor Atacama TelescopeCerro Chajnantor Atacama TelescopeThe Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope is a proposed 25-metre telescope that is intended to reveal the cosmic origins of stars, planets, and galaxies with its submillimeter cameras and spectrometers enabled by the superconducting detector arrays. Submillimeter is a type of microwave radiation...
(CCAT), a proposed ground-based telescope sensitive in the millimeter and submillimeter range. CCAT will survey young dusty star systems and galaxies, and serve as a companion to Atacama Large Millimeter ArrayAtacama Large Millimeter ArrayThe Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array is an array of radio telescopes in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Since a high and dry site is crucial to millimeter wavelength operations, the array is being constructed on the Chajnantor plateau at 5000 metres altitude...
at the same site.
Other priorities include Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna is a planned space mission to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves from astronomical sources. LISA was originally conceived as a joint effort between the United States space agency NASA and the European Space Agency...
(LISA) for measuring gravitational waves and International X-ray Observatory
International X-ray Observatory
The International X-ray Observatory was a planned X-ray telescope from about 2008 to 2011 by NASA, ESA, and JAXA. In 2011, NASA pulled out and ESA is forking/rebooting the project as the ESA Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics ., which is an L-class candidate within the ESA Cosmic...
for investigating black holes and the evolution of large scale structure in the universe. The report also recommends augmenting the Explorer program
Explorer program
The Explorer program is a United States space exploration program that provides flight opportunities for physics, heliophysics, and astrophysics investigations from space. Over 90 space missions have been launched from 1958 to 2011, and it is still active...
for small and medium sized missions with rapid turnaround and high scientific return, and the creation of a Midscale Innovations Program within the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
for funding projects in the $4–135 million range.