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AST Supported Programs for Astronomical Instrumentation

This document provides information on the supported programs for astronomical instrumentation, including ATI, MRI, TSIP, and more. It also includes funding directions and statistics.

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AST Supported Programs for Astronomical Instrumentation

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  1. AST Supported Programs for Astronomical Instrumentation Division of Astronomical Sciences Program Officers: Andrew Clegg, Jeff Pier, Gary Schmidt

  2. Instrumentation Programs • ATI (Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation) • OIR, AO, Computing, Radio/sub-mm • MRI (Major Research Instrumentation) • OIR, AO, Computing, Radio/sub-mm • TSIP(Telescope System Instrumentation Program) • ReSTAR (Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research) • Dormant during 2008-2010: • PREST(Program for Research and Education with Small Telescopes) • AODP(Adaptive Optics Development Program) Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  3. Just one highlight… 672-actuator adaptive secondary for 8m LBT achieves Strehl ratio of 84% at 1.6 mm with natural guide star (funded from MRI/ATI) Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  4. Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation (ATI) • Funds development of hardware/software technologies with application to astronomy, or the use of existing technologies for new astronomical applications • ATI budget ~$10M per year • Panels based on proposal pressure (all wavelengths; hardware and computing; solar and night-time) • Panel review plus writtenspecialist reviews (4-6 total). Some co-reviewed with AAG. • Annual deadline November 1 • Also rapid-response, exploratory (SGER/RAPID/EAGER; $200-300K max), supplement and REU Proposals Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  5. Program Management • Instrument Programs differ from regular AAG Awards • Complex management to bring an instrument from design to commissioning • Delays lead to no-cost extensions and/or supplementary funding • POs attend technical meetings to track technological innovations • Crossover and repetition of proposal submission to different programs Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  6. Cumulative ATI Funding FY08-FY10(Includes approx $10M ARRA FY09) Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  7. ATI Proposal Trends FY08-FY10 Number of proposals • Success rates • 22.7% • 33.5% (ARRA) • 2010 21.6% • 3-yr rate: 26% (Incl. ARRA) Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  8. Optical/IR detectors, imagers, and spectrographs (15 awards) Wide field imaging Optical and Infrared detector development Reflective and nonreflective coating development High-resolution spectrographs (prim. exoplanets) Polarimeters Adaptive Optics, LGS technology and applications (7 awards) Visible light applications (including solar) Laser Guide Star Constellations Radio and sub-mm (12 awards) Cameras (Focal Plane Arrays, TES, MKID detectors) High frequency coherent receiver array development High-speed correlator architecture CMB (esp. B-mode polarimeters) and EOR (typ. 21 cm) Many of the directions pioneered by ATI were strongly advocated by Astro2010, but further pursuit is beyond ATI’s scope (Þmid-scale). ATI Funding Directions Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  9. Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Funds instrument development and acquisition proposals for research and research training NSF-wide program (run by OIA – the Office of Integrative Activities) Institutions may only submit up to 3 MRI proposals across all NSF disciplines AST related proposals are reviewed through AST Maximum funding has varied between $2M and $6M in FYs 2008-2010 30% Cost sharing required for PhD granting and non-degree granting institutions MRI requires set-aside for non-PhD-granting and minority-serving educational institutions AST shares in Foundation-wide funds based upon proposal pressure. After Foundation set-aside for Large (<$1M) proposals, typically 40% And after Directorate set-aside for remaining large proposals and “horse-trading” Typically 1 or 2 panels convened covering all AST proposal disciplines Usually 2 or 3 additional ad hoc reviewsobtained from specialists Co-reviews with other divisions when necessary Solicitation announces the Annual deadline: (usually 4th Thursday in January) Crossover of proposal topics with ATI Instrumentation AST CoV 2011 Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  10. Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Some MRI Statistics 2008-2010: * Two major comp proposals ($1.5M + $2.3M) were co-reviewed by AST but funded elsewhere in FY10 Instrumentation AST CoV 2011 Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  11. MRI Funding Directions Spectrographs/IFUs Precision RV calibration systems (Laser Frequency Combs) Stable/precise spectrographs/coronographs for exoplanet detection/characterization Gratings (silicon immersion; Volume-Phase Holographic) High Resolution IR Spectrographs Adaptive Optics Lasers Multiple Beam Launch Systems Deformable mirrors with large number of elements Radio Telescope Instrumentation Sub-mm cameras (TES, MKIDS) Phased array feeds CMB B mode polarization High Performance Computing Clusters Instrumentation AST CoV 2011 Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  12. NOAO Managed Programs: (1)Telescope System Instrumentation Program (TSIP) Funding to develop new instrumentation, upgrade existing instruments for telescopes operated by non-federally-funded U.S. observatories with telescopes of 3-10m aperture. “system access” mechanism for direct exchange of telescope time for use by the community in exchange for operations funding. Proposals are solicited annually and are competitively reviewed. Review panel recommendations forwarded to AST for approval Awards made to Keck MMT LBT Magellan WIYN (ODI) Funding Levels: $32M over the past 9 years (FY02  FY10) ($4M per year every year except that FY05 & FY06 were funded at $2M/yr) Instrumentation AST CoV 2011 Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

  13. NOAO Managed Programs (2): Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research (ReSTAR) Funding for 2  5 meter telescope instrumentation (new or upgrades) in exchange for community access in response to the ReSTAR Report Can also fund direct exchange of telescope time First of three 3-phase proposals submitted FY08 Each phase is for 3 years at approximately $10M Year 1 of Phase 1 awarded $3M (KOSMOS, Mosaic and Hydra upgrades, Hale telescope spectroscopic time) Year 2 awarded $3.9M (COSMOS and TripleSpec) Phase 2 solicitation released in December – inviting institutions to propose to partner with NOAO to develop/enhance capabilities that Are responsive to the ReSTAR report Balance System capabilities AST Program Officer works closely with NOAO for both programs including attending the panel reviews and advising on funding decisions. Instrumentation AST CoV 2011 Instrumentation AST CoV 2011

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