1 / 9

The UK Situation

The UK Situation. The UK Situation. Recent WSO activities UK political situation Relevance to WSO and prospects. Recent Activities. September 2005 – UK scientific delegation to China WSO core part of the programme February 2006 – Invited presentation to PPARC Astronomy Advisory Panel

nevada-brown
Download Presentation

The UK Situation

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The UK Situation

  2. The UK Situation • Recent WSO activities • UK political situation • Relevance to WSO and prospects

  3. Recent Activities • September 2005 – UK scientific delegation to China • WSO core part of the programme • February 2006 – Invited presentation to PPARC Astronomy Advisory Panel • Well received • April 2006 – WSO presentation at National Astronomy Meeting • Continued strong interest

  4. WSO in the UK Context • UK has a long-standing UV involvement • Still has active community & need for access • UK has specific relevant & unique expertise • High spatial resolution, large format UV detectors • Pipeline data processing

  5. WSO in the UK Context • Need to identify focus for UK proposal • Most likely some aspect of detector provision or data processing • Mismatch of UK science/instrument expertise • E.g. high resolution science vs. low dispersion or imaging contribution • Science case less mature for the latter • Need clearly defined time allocation rules • Need to bid against a well defined role in an approved instrument

  6. UK Political Situation • UK Government supporting science in a big way • E.g. 2nd largest contributor to ESA Aurora (optional) programme • PPARC finances still limited for new projects • However, future of PPARC under review • Could lead to new opportunities

  7. UK Political Situation • Creation of a new research council • May lever new money • Reorganise space responsibilities • Positive incentive in PPARC to “fully fund” existing programmes & approve new ones • To “grow” the volume of Astronomy etc. before changes • Strong desire of UK government to engage with emerging powers • E.g. China… good leverage for WSO

  8. The Way Forward • Define the possible UK role • In the context of the approved mission • Develop the relevant science cases • E.g. Low dispersion spectrograph? • Submit “Statement of Interest” • Standard procedure for new projects • If successful, invited to submit full proposal

  9. Time Allocation – A Personal View • Completely pro-rata division against financial contribution • Disincentive for small participants • Difficulties in gaining approval from funders • Competitive Guest Observer programme • Open to all: fulfill aims of WW and help leverage of small contributors • Scientifically very healthy • Guest/Mission Scientist programme • Provide early involvement in core programmes • Route for non-instrument providers

More Related