The decade of discovery in astronomy and astrophysics / Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee, Board on Physics and Astronomy, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy--Research.

Astronomy.

Astrophysics--Research.

Astrophysics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (220 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1991.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Astronomers and astrophysicists are making revolutionary advances in our understanding of planets, stars, galaxies, and even the structure of the universe itself. The Decade of Discovery presents a survey of this exciting field of science and offers a prioritized agenda for space- and ground-based research into the twenty-first century. The book presents specific recommendations, programs, and expenditure levels to meet the needs of the astronomy and astrophysics communities. Accessible to the interested lay reader, the book explores: The technological investments needed for instruments that will be built in the next century. The importance of the computer revolution to all aspects of astronomical research. The potential usefulness of the moon as an observatory site. Policy issues relevant to the funding of astronomy and the execution of astronomical projects. The Decade of Discovery will prove valuable to science policymakers, research administrators, scientists, and students in the physical sciences, and interested lay readers. Alternate Selection, Astronomy Book Club

Contents:

The Decade of Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Copyright

Preface

Contents

Executive Summary

THE DECADE OF DISCOVERY

RESTORING THE INFRASTRUCTURE

ACHIEVING A BALANCED SPACE PROGRAM

THE PRIORITIZED INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

Large Programs

Small and Moderate Programs

Space-based Programs

Ground-based Programs

THEORY AND COMPUTERS

LUNAR ASTRONOMY

ASTRONOMY AND SOCIETY

1 Recommendations

INTRODUCTION

Our Place in the Universe

Discoveries of the 1980s

The 1990s: The Decade of Discovery

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS STUDY

Charge to the Committee

Contents of This Report

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING GROUND-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE

Overall Strategy

Significance of Large Space Observatories

RECOMMENDED NEW EQUIPMENT INITIATIVES

Ground and Space Initiatives

The Combined Equipment List

Small Projects and Technological Initiatives

Explanation of New Equipment Initiatives

Ground-based Astronomy

Infrared-Optimized 8-m Telescope.

Millimeter Array.

Southern 8-m Telescope.

Space-based Astronomy

SIRTF.

Moderate Programs

Ground-based Projects

Adaptive Optics and Interferometry.

4-m Telescopes.

Fly's Eye.

Large Earth-based Solar Telescope.

VLA Extension.

Space-based Projects

Dedicated Spacecraft for FUSE.

SOFIA.

Explorers.

Astrometric Interferometry Mission.

International Collaborations.

Small Programs

Two-Micron Survey.

Infrared Instrumentation.

Cosmic Background Imager.

Laboratory Astrophysics.

Other Programs.

Small Explorers.

Other Projects.

Technology Development

Ground-based Technology

Space-based Technology

2 Science Opportunities

INTRODUCTION.

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND THE SEARCH FOR OTHER PLANETS

The Formation and Evolution of Our Solar System

The Search for Other Planets

Comets and the Origins of Life

Weather and Volcanoes

THE LIFE HISTORY OF STARS

The Sun

The Formation of Stars

The Life and Death of Stars

THE LIFE HISTORY OF GALAXIES

The Milky Way as a Galaxy

The Evolution of Galaxies

The Power Source of Quasars and Active Galaxies

The Birth of Galaxies

THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE

The Big Bang Model

The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe

Dark Matter

The Origin of the Universe

The End of the Universe

3 Existing Programs

GROUND-BASED ASTRONOMY

Optical and Infrared Astronomy

Large Mirrors

Adaptive Optics and Interferometry

Radio Astronomy

Centimeter Wavelength Astronomy

Millimeter and Submillimeter Wavelength Astronomy

Planetary Astronomy

Solar Astronomy

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

SPACE ASTRONOMY

The Great Observatories

Hubble Space Telescope

Gamma Ray Observatory

Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility

The Explorer Program

The Suborbital Program

International Collaborations

Shuttle Payloads

THEORETICAL AND LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS

PARTICLE ASTROPHYSICS

4 New Initiatives

THE DECADE OF THE INFRARED

HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION

The Millimeter Array

Adaptive Optics

Optical and Infrared Interferometers

Astrometric Interferometry Mission

Large Earth-based Solar Telescope

VLA Extension

CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE TELESCOPES

A Southern 8-m Telescope

Construction and Support of 4-m Telescopes

THE INFORMATION EXPLOSION

OTHER INITIATIVES

Dedicated Spacecraft for Fuse

Acceleration of the Explorer Program

Fly's Eye Telescope

5 Astronomy and the Computer Revolution.

INTRODUCTION

A HIERARCHY OF COMPUTING POWER

DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING

DATA REDUCTION AND ANALYSIS

ARCHIVING

COMPUTERS AND THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS

RECOMMENDATIONS

Archiving

Workstations and Hierarchical Computing

Networks

Community Code Development

6 Astronomy from the Moon

ASTRONOMY AND THE SPACE EXPLORATION INITIATIVE

THE MOON AS AN OBSERVATORY SITE

Physical Characteristics

A Human Presence

SCIENCE FROM A LUNAR OBSERVATORY

Observations with Single Telescopes

Interferometry at Visible and Near-infrared Wavelengths

Interferometry at Submillimeter Wavelengths

Radio Observations

High-Energy Astrophysics

AN EVOLUTIONARY PROGRAM OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT

SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES

THE IMPACT OF THE LUNAR PROGRAM

WHERE SHOULD THE PROGRAM BE IN 10 YEARS?

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7 Policy Opportunities

THE PREVIOUS DECADE

EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE

REVIVING GROUND-BASED ASTRONOMY

BALANCED SPACE ASTROPHYSICS PROGRAM

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

8 Astronomy as a National Asset

OUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE

ASTRONOMY AND AMERICA'S SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP

Public Scientific Literacy

Training of Professional Scientists

SYNERGISM WITH OTHER SCIENCES

High-Energy and Particle Physics

Geophysics

ASTRONOMY AND THE EARTH'S ENVIRONMENT

An Astronomical Context for the Earth's Environment

Models of the Earth's Environment

Astronomy, Weather, and Ozone Depletion

USES OF ASTRONOMICAL TECHNIQUES OUTSIDE ASTRONOMY

Medicine

Industry

Defense Technology

Why They Call It Universal Time

Energy

ASTRONOMY AS AN INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE

9 References

Appendices

Appendix A Glossary

Astronomical Terms

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Appendix B Status of the Profession.

The Demographics of Astronomy

The Growth of Astronomy

Astronomy as a Profession

The Funding of Astronomical Research

Support from the National Science Foundation

Support from NASA

Access to Ground-Based Telescopes

Appendix C Contributing Scientists

Benefits to the Nation from Astronomy and Astrophysics

Computing and Data Processing

High Energy from Space

Infrared Astronomy

Interferometry

Optical/IR from Ground

Particle Astrophysics

Policy Opportunities

Science Opportunities

Status of the Profession

Theory and Laboratory Astrophysics

UV-Optical from Space

Working Group on Astronomy from the Moon

Appendix D Members, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786610212019

9781280212017

1280212012

9780309596114

0309596114

9780585085296

0585085293

OCLC:

43475697