Astronomy

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Astronomy Astrophysics in Antarctic 2012AAAC
11 May 2012Scott BorgDivision of Antarctic
SciencesOffice of Polar ProgramsNational
Science Foundation
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(No Transcript)
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HEAT at Ridge A
TeraHertz, robotic telescope at the Dome A
summit Site is 200-km south of Chinese station
Kunlun Successful testing now into THz winter
observations US and Australia Support thru FY14
NASA-NSF partnership since 1990 47
flights Pioneering astrophysics and space physics
payloads Agreement thru FY14 (2 more
seasons) Anticipate continued interest from NASA
Antarctic Long Duration Ballooning
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NRC Review of the USAP

• OMB requested a high level review
• Plan developed and implemented by OSTP and NSF
• Part 1 NAS/NRC Review of Science Drivers.
  Report issued December 2011.
• Part 2 Blue Ribbon Panel examining
  infrastructure Is USAP structured appropriately
  to address the science drivers anticipated in the
  NRC report. Report anticipated July 2012.
• Includes consideration of international and
  interagency partnerships.

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Challenges

• Many opportunities - too many?
• Stagnant budgets and increasing costs.
• Better integration/partnerships and priority
  setting with other national investments in
  astronomy?
• SPT after current project - what next?
• - Transition to multi-user telescope?
• IceCube MO recompetition in FY15 what next?

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Questions?
Aurora behind the 10m South Pole Telescope Photo
Credit Dana Hrubes, SP Station Science Leader,
2010
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Questions?