Cover Image: This wide-field image of the Christmas Tree ... · facilities, engineering, scientific...

Cover Image: This wide-field image of the Christmas Tree Cluster, also known as NGC2264, was taken at the National Science Foundation's 0.9-meter telescope on Kitt Peak with the NOAO Mosaic CCD camera. This image was created by combining emission-line images in Hydrogen-alpha (red-orange), Oxygen [O III] (light blue) and Sulfur [S II] (blue-violet).

T.A. Rector (NRAO/AUI/NSF and NOAO/AURA/NSF) and B.A. Wolpa

Submitted to the National Science Foundation

Pursuant to Scientific Program Order No. 1, Article 5-C Cooperative Agreement No. AST-0132798, Article VI

Also published on the NOAO Web site: http://www.noao.edu

NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation

http://www.noao.edu/

NATIONAL OPTICAL ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY

Annual Program Plan FY 2008

Submitted to the National Science Foundation December 31, 2007

CONTENTS

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................1

1 NOAO Divisions ....................................................................................................................2 1.1 Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) ........................................................................ 2 1.2 Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO)....................................................... 6 1.3 NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC) .......................................................................... 9 1.4 System Division .................................................................................................................12

1.4.1 System Development............................................................................................12 1.4.2 System Instrumentation.......................................................................................13 1.4.3 Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office.......................................16 1.4.4 Data Products Program .......................................................................................18

2 NOAO-Wide Programs .......................................................................................................22 2.1 Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).......................................................................22 2.2 Science Research Support (SRS)......................................................................................27 2.3 Public Affairs and Educational Outreach (PAEO).......................................................29 2.4 Administration and Infrastructure .................................................................................33

2.4.1 NOAO Director’s Office (NDO) ........................................................................33 2.4.2 Central Administration Services (CAS) ............................................................34 2.4.3 Central Facilities Operations (CFO) ..................................................................37 2.4.4 Computer Infrastructure Support (CIS) ...........................................................40

3 FY08 Management and Budget ...........................................................................................42 3.1 FY08 Divisional Organization and Key Management .................................................42 3.2 FY08 Budget Summary.....................................................................................................42 3.3 Sources of FY08 Incremental Funds...............................................................................46 3.4 FY08 Division of Effort—NOAO Scientific Staff..........................................................46

4 Status of FY07 Milestones....................................................................................................50

5 Long-Range Plan (FY08–FY12)...........................................................................................65

Acronyms and Abbreviations.....................................................................................................67

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Program Plan for FY08 represents the first full year in which the program will be rebalanced in accord with the recommendations of the Senior Review. In addition, it is the last full year leading up to the new cooperative agreement. Thus, the priorities within the NOAO program have changed significantly—from an emphasis on the next generation of very large facilities to a renovation and re-engaging of the existing facilities, in particular the small and mid-size telescopes and the infrastructure that supports them. This shift appears dramatic because it is, in some sense, remedial; several years of deferred attention to the Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo facilities must now be addressed. However, the new theme is not a change of direction, but rather an attempt to reach a balance among the entire suite of activities and facilities, those existing and those in various phases of development.

This new program plan also affords NOAO the opportunity to renew its relationship to the community, both by presenting a clear picture of the new program and by soliciting input to guide future decisions. Part of that effort has gone into developing a more straightforward presentation of the budget and showing how it is allocated among the program activities, including those needed to keep an organization of NOAO’s size and complexity operating efficiently.

The activities are not limited to maintenance and planning. A number of new instruments will be completed or deployed scientifically in FY08. These include NEWFIRM, WHIRC, and QUOTA at Kitt Peak and the Goodman Spectrograph and the Spartan IR Imager at Cerro Pachón. The U.S. community will also gain access to several new instruments on the Gemini telescopes, including NICI and Flamingos-2. At the same time, development work on future capabilities, the One Degree Imager, the Dark Energy Camera, and the SOAR Adaptive Module, is proceeding.

The decadal survey initiatives, LSST and GSMT, are also undergoing significant changes. The LSST effort at NOAO moves into a development phase that is more sensitive to issues of timing and critical path—with the initiation of construction anticipated for 2011. For the new GSMT Program Office, the entire scope of work has changed, with the goal of ensuring community input and access to whatever extremely large telescope (or telescopes) is constructed.

The new System Division of NOAO includes two existing programs, instrumentation (now called System Instrumentation) and Data Products, that will evolve to provide benefit to the entire system of ground-based O/IR facilities. In addition, a System Development Program within that System Division will undertake planning—which must encourage and incorporate community input—for the evolution of the entire system, perhaps divided into aperture ranges.

Finally, NOAO’s Public Affairs and Educational Outreach program will continue its broad outreach activities, including a significant role in the upcoming International Year of Astronomy 2009, while adding new emphasis to programs aimed at encouraging diversity in the relevant work force.

NOAO ANNUAL PROGRAM PLAN FY 2008

1 NOAO DIVISIONS

1.1 KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY (KPNO)

FY08 Program Overview

KPNO operates the Mayall 4-m telescope, the WIYN 3.5-m and 0.9-m telescopes, and the 2.1-m telescope. The two WIYN telescopes are operated on behalf of the WIYN consortia (different members for the two telescopes). During FY08, KPNO will celebrate its 50th anniversary. This year marks the beginning of a five-year program of repairs and improvements to the facility infrastructure to prepare for the continuation of effective astronomical research. KPNO will continue the process of bringing new capabilities to our users. These priorities are well matched to the Senior Review recommendations, and the instruments planned for completion and deployment in FY08 are consistent with the preliminary recommendations of the ReSTAR panel. The new instruments that will go into operation during FY08 are QUOTA (a new optical imager for WIYN 3.5-m using innovative orthogonal transfer CCD arrays to provide excellent image quality), NEWFIRM (a new wide-field near-IR imager built in collaboration with the University of Maryland for the NOAO 4-m telescopes), WHIRC (a new high spatial resolution near-IR imager for WIYN 3.5-m), and a significant upgrade to the Bench Spectrograph of WIYN (undertaken in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin). These new capabilities demonstrate the continuing commitment of the KPNO staff to maintaining the high quality of the facility and enabling the aspirations of the national user community to undertake scientific research of the highest caliber.

FY08 Milestones

Complete the commissioning of NEWFIRM and begin normal operations of this wide-field Near-IR imager.

Complete the commissioning of WHIRC for the WIYN 3.5-m telescope, including the use of the WIYN Tip-Tilt Module (WTTM) with the instrument.

Commission the OTA mode of QUOTA for the WIYN 3.5-m telescope.

Complete the upgrade of the bench spectrograph for the WIYN 3.5-m telescope.

Complete the search for a new director of the WIYN Observatory with an anticipated start date of October 2008.

Begin work on a five-year program of modernizing the infrastructure provided by Kitt Peak to all the observatories on Kitt Peak.

Begin work on a five-year program of refurbishing the Mayall 4-m, WIYN 3.5-m, and 2.1-m telescopes.

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NOAO DIVISIONS: KPNO

FY08 Budget Summary

Table 1 below summarizes the program’s budget.

FY08 Work Packages

Telescope Operations This package includes all the costs directly associated with the operations and maintenance of the telescopes and instruments. The costs and effort of all operations, facilities, engineering, scientific and related staffs are included. A pro-rated share of the scientific infrastructure, comprising the computer network, mountain scientific administration, maintenance of electronics shops, spares, and test equipment is also tracked by telescope.

For the WIYN 3.5-m, operations are defined by the terms of the consortium agreement. The costs shown represent actual expenditures, offset by revenues from the partner institutions, including KPNO on behalf of NOAO. The itemized costs include the NOAO contribution to the WIYN Corporate account. Over and above the support defined by the agreement, the total includes all scientific staff activity related to support of WIYN observers, telescope, and existing instruments; technical staff contribution to new instrument development; and expenses for participation in WIYN Consortium activities such as Board and SAC meetings. It does not represent the full WIYN Consortium annual expenses, because substantial partner contributions go directly to WIYN, Inc., primarily for upgrades and administration.

FY08 Work Packages FTE Amount

Telescope Operations 35.0 3,581,213

Mountain Facilities 16.20 1,096,927

KPNO Site Director's Office 5.05 429,484

Support to Tenants (inc. NSO & NRAO) 3.78 488,898

Modernization 1.70 774,494

User Support 2.21 179,306

Astronomy Community Project Assistance 1.10 82,882

Science Research 1.02 139,658

Total Program Budget 66.09 6,772,862$

Outside Revenue Source

WIYN Partner Cash Contributions – (351,281)

Revenue: Coudé Feed – (15,000)

Reimbursements: Utilities, Dorm, Kitchen, Communications – (384,

KPNO Mtn Operations Revenue (234,464)

Astronomy Community Project Assistance (104,152)

Grant Revenue (32,366)

Telescope Partnerships (290,000)

NSO and NRAO Support Revenue (87,000)Instrumentation Partnerships (225,000)Total Outside Revenue (1,723,263)$

Total NSF Support $ 5,049,599

Table 1Observatories

Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO)FY08 Program Budget

000)

Mountain Facilities This work-package includes our support of the mountain physical plant, external to the telescope domes. It includes the support buildings, dining and lodging facilities operations, power distribution

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(distinct from the power distribution that is part of KP Mountain Operations), and mountain vehicles and equipment. The actual costs are partially offset by revenues from both visiting observers to KPNO and tenant observatory telescopes.

KPNO Site Director’s Office Included in this work package are the KPNO director, the assistant to the director, part-time assistance from a program/budget manager, and part of the time of two administrative assistants. Collectively, they support observatory planning and operations, out-reach to government agencies regarding site protection, relations with the Tohono O’odham Nation, relations with tenant observatories, relations with instrumentation and operations partners, and coordination with other divisions of NOAO. In this year, this office is also involved in the search for a new WIYN Director.

Support to Tenants This work-package includes those aspects of mountain operations/facilities used by all telescope facilities located on the mountain, including KPNO. It includes the roads, water systems, septic systems, support buildings, and power distribution. The actual costs are offset by revenue from the joint use fee (which comes from tenants and KPNO).

The responsibility for supporting the costs of facilities and maintenance of NSO telescopes remained with KPNO, as did the pool of skilled staff necessary to undertake the work, when NSO was functionally separated from NOAO. A base level of support of NSO facilities on Kitt Peak is included in this work-package. Also included in this work-package are the joint use fees for NSO and NRAO, paid by KPNO. KPNO also provides some support to other NOAO divisions (e.g., PAEO) and receives some reimbursement for costs from these internal divisions and external groups (e.g., NRAO paying for electricity). This work package tracks these expenditures and revenues.

Modernization This category refers to effort expended in support of the modernization of the basic infrastructure on the mountain and the KPNO telescopes in particular. This work includes projects ranging from repairing the main service elevator at the Mayall 4-m (the elevator used for moving the primary mirror when it needs to be lowered to the ground floor to be re-aluminized) to the installation of a new set of site monitoring instruments. Note that hires planned in FY08 to raise the level of support in a number of areas are not included in this line.

User Support This category refers to support of observers when they are not directly engaged in observing. Observing run preparation, advice on observatory performance for use in proposals, occasional service observing, and the KPNO Observing Support Office activities are included here. The KPNO Observing Support Office also assists WIYN and NSO observers with their travel and lodging needs on the mountain.

Astronomy Community Project Assistance This FTE allocation of KPNO engineering will be applied to projects in service or in collaboration with other institutions that benefit astronomy and/or the “Observing System.” The exact level of support in this package will change on a yearly basis depending on the level of collaborative and service work undertaken by the observatory.

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NOAO DIVISIONS: KPNO

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Science Research This work-package covers the costs of the science research time of the program’s scientific staff.

Telescope Partnership This is the revenue from partnerships to operate telescopes other than WIYN. We have an agreement in place, approved by the NSF, with Clemson for them to assist with the operations of the 4-m telescope during FY2007–2009.

Instrumentation Partnerships This is the revenue from partnerships to develop new instruments. We have an agreement in place, approved by the NSF, with University of Maryland for them to assist with the development of new instrumentation for the WIYN 3.5-m (e.g., ODI) and NOAO 4-m telescopes (e.g., complete NEWFIRM) during FY2007–2009.


1.2 CERRO TOLOLO INTER-AMERICAN OBSERVATORY (CTIO)


CTIO operates a suite of two 4-m telescopes (Blanco, SOAR), together with four small telescopes via the SMARTS Consortium in which CTIO retains 25% of the observing time for the community. CTIO also serves as host for the U. Michigan Schmidt telescope, the GONG helioseismology station, the PROMPT gamma-ray burst follow-up telescope array, and several smaller facilities. Technical expertise is provided at cost to Gemini Observatory through the ETS external work package. During 2008, CTIO will continue modernization of its telescopes and infrastructure, and expects that at least two new university facility instruments will be commissioned at the SOAR telescope.

FY08 Milestones

Commission the Goodman Spectrograph and the Spartan IR imager on SOAR, and commence science operations with these instruments.

Successfully progress the Dark Energy Camera project through FY08 DOE and NSF reviews.

Complete the enhancement of the CTIO technical and scientific staff by the hiring of two new scientists and an optical technician.

Modify the balance of all the Blanco telescope primary mirror edge supports, and re-aluminize the mirror.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

Telescope Operations Scientific staff includes telescope scientists who have responsibility for the instrumentation, together with some specialist support from the Engineering and Technical Services (ETS) group in La Serena. Telescope Operations (TelOps) staff is split between operating Blanco and operating SOAR. For non-payroll, the major portion is for AURA Observatory Support Services (AOSS) services, including meals, lodging, transport, facility maintenance, and janitorial services. Utilities, fuels and cryogens are also procured via AOSS. This also includes miscellaneous electronic, mechanical, and computer supplies. Telescope maintenance covers scheduled replacements and an allowance for mechanical failures, as well as purchasing of major spares.

For SOAR, this includes scientific staff equivalent to one person, as required by the SOAR agreement. TelOps and ETS support are included at the level required for normal telescope operations. AOSS meals, rooms, and transport for CTIO staff working on SOAR are included. Also

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NOAO DIVISIONS: CTIO

covered are salary support for the SOAR Director and administrative assistant, AOSS telescope fees, utilities, supplies, etc., as allocated by the SOAR Director.

A small amount of support is provided for the SMARTS telescopes. Payment for observing and technical support, which is provided by CTIO, is fully recovered from the SMARTS consortium.

User Support This work package covers interface, scheduling, logistics, and assistance for visiting observers at all telescopes in Chile to which astronomers have access via NOAO. It includes travel subsidies for graduate students doing thesis research and subsidies for NOAO, Chile, and Las Campanas Observatory (LCO) observers. Recording and calculation of statistical data is also covered.

Mountain Facilities Included in this work package is the payment to AOSS of CTIO’s share of non-metered facilities support, including road maintenance, power systems maintenance, and emergency medical services. Direct payments for utilities and janitorial services are included. Also in here are maintenance of telescope and support buildings and general facilities maintenance.

Director’s Office This includes the Director, assistant/business manager, and administrative assistant. This work package only accounts for the fraction of time spent overseeing and administrating CTIO (also see NOAO-S work packages). Here too are interfaces to AURA Observatory in Chile (AURO-O), AOSS, and other NOAO management. This work package includes AOSS utilities and per-use costs, office supplies, director’s travel, and training for staff. It also includes support of the Comisión Nacionál de Medio Ambiente (CONAMA) light pollution office in La Serena ($15K), to which other observatories in Chile also contribute.


Telescope Operations 33.4 3,142,808

User Support 1.08 112,965

Mountain Facilities (sub-contract to AOSS) – 402,869

CTIO Site Director's Office 1.27 226,202

ETS Infrastructure & External Work 2.55 280,189

Modernization 8.65 845,038




Grant Indirect Cost Recovery (20,000)

Telescope Partnerships (360,000)$

SMARTS (39,000)$

External ETS Work (73,944)$

SOAR/Gemini Contracted Work (80,000)$

Total Outside Revenue (572,944)$



Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO)FY08 Program Budget

Engineering and Technical Services (ETS) Infrastructure Management and support for the ETS unit: infrastructure for all ETS work is in this work package. Also included are the ETS manager, an administrative assistant, and time/effort from three

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department heads, ETS office supplies and computer upgrades. AOSS charges for utilities, rooms, meals and transport for ETS personnel, and facility maintenance are in here. Operations costs for the workshops and laboratories: e.g., computers, new machine tools, optics lab parts, software and software licenses, and test equipment such as oscilloscopes are also in this work package.

Engineering and Technical Services (ETS) External Work Extra contract work done by ETS, largely mechanical, undertaken to support local observatories and for load leveling: e.g., work for Gemini (MCAO facility), instrumentation for the SOAR partners (dewars and detector characterization), site testing and monitoring equipment are part of this work package. All work is charged out at the full overhead rate.

Modernization This work package includes replacement and upgrade of the Blanco Telescope Control System, construction of a clean room in the Blanco telescope building, and replacement and upgrading of computer systems. Also included are replacement of the Blanco elevator control system and provision of critical spare parts. Upgrades of instrument controllers and improvement of communication systems are covered. Staff hires to raise the overall level of support are not included in this line.

TSIP This work package provides local support for users of the Magellan telescopes (at Las Campanas Observatory) who obtain observing time on these telescopes through the NOAO telescope allocation process.


NOAO DIVISIONS: NGSC

1.3 NOAO GEMINI SCIENCE CENTER (NGSC)


The NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC) is the gateway to U.S. community access to the two 8.1-m Gemini telescopes. NGSC staff astronomers provide a number of services in support of U.S. Gemini users: preparation of pre-submission technical assessments of any Gemini proposals being submitted by a U.S. PI, answers to Gemini helpdesk questions from the community, written technical reviews for the NOAO TAC on every Gemini proposal submitted to NOAO, preparation help to successful PIs with Phase II submissions to Gemini in order to execute their observing programs, Gemini site visits in order to maintain their proficiency in Gemini instruments and operations, participation on Gemini instrument teams in conjunction with Gemini astronomers, and maintenance help for Gemini Web pages. In addition, NGSC engages and educates the entire U.S. astronomy community about current Gemini issues, new observing capabilities and science results via the “NOAO/NSO Newsletter,” the NGSC Web site, and booths at AAS meetings. NGSC is an active participant, as well as a strong advocate of U.S. interests, in the Gemini Science Committee, the Operations Working Group and the International TAC. During this year, NGSC will help organize and participate in a community-based effort aimed at understanding Gemini’s role in the U.S. ground-based O/IR system.

FY08 Milestones

Provide support for at least five visits per semester to each of the Gemini sites by NGSC astronomers and scientists to observe and get instrument training and familiarization. Increase the presence of NGSC staff at the Gemini North base facility via extended stays in order to foster closer ties between NGSC and Gemini-N staff.

Improve the communication links between NGSC and the U.S. user community via improved Web pages and increased conduits through which users can provide feedback on their experiences and views on U.S. usage and participation in Gemini.

Within the structure of the next Cooperative Agreement, work on defining the future role of the Gemini facilities within the U.S. System of ground-based observing capabilities. Help organize a community-based committee to solicit input and provide a synthesis of community aspirations for the use of the Gemini telescopes.

Foster closer communications between NGSC/NOAO and the various committees that provide advice: these include the NOAO Gemini Science Advisory Committee (SAC), the Users Committee, and the Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC), as well as the Gemini Observatory committees consisting of the Gemini Science Committee (GSC), the Operations Working Group, and the Gemini International TAC (ITAC). Particular care will be taken to increase cross-links between U.S. members on these various committees.

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NGSC will manage the testing and final integration of the FLAMINGOS-2 near-infrared multi-object spectrograph being built at the University of Florida for deployment at Gemini-South. This management role will continue until Gemini Observatory accepts the instrument.

Provide advice and expertise to the Gemini Observatory in support of the deployment of NOAO’s Phoenix spectrograph on Gemini-South until it is removed from this telescope sometime in 2008.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

NGSC Director’s Office These are the costs to organize activities within NGSC and publicize NGSC activities and Gemini observing or program opportunities and capabilities via the “NOAO/NSO Newsletter,” NGSC Web pages, and other means. It also includes funds to organize workshops with the goal of educating and engaging the U.S. community in Gemini observing opportunities and scientific results and organize the U.S. Gemini Science Advisory Committee (SAC). This work package provides for U.S. representation on Gemini committees, such as the Gemini Science Committee, Gemini Operations Working Group, and Gemini International TAC. Provision of two-way communication with International Gemini Observatory is also included.


NGSC Director's Office 1.80 360,612$

Gemini User Support North 2.75 375,593

Gemini South Ops. Support 1.40 198,146

Instrument Development 0.62 101,841

AURA U.S. Gemini Fellowship - 75,000

Science Research 4.55 471,185Total Program Budget 11.12 1,582,377$


AURA U.S. Gemini Fellowship (60,000)

Grant Support (40,031)$




NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC)FY08 Program Budget

Gemini User and Operations Support The cost of support of U.S. Gemini telescope users and proposers, primarily from NGSC staff working at NOAO-N in Tucson or at NOAO-S in La Serena is covered. In particular, this work package provides complete support for the U.S. Phase I and Phase II Gemini proposal processes, as well as answers to all inquiries by U.S. users.

Instrument Development NGSC lets the contracts for Gemini instruments built in the U.S. This work includes advice and liaison to the instrument teams, management oversight, progress reports to International Gemini, and communication coordination between the instrument team and Gemini.

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NOAO DIVISIONS: NGSC

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AURA U.S. Gemini Fellowship The AURA U.S. Gemini Fellowship provides support for South American astronomers from Argentina, Brazil and Chile to study, conduct independent research, work, or teach at United States universities of their choice. This program is administered by NGSC.



1.4 SYSTEM DIVISION

In FY08, NOAO begins its transition to the structure described in the cooperative agreement renewal proposal with the establishment of the System Division. This new division brings together the programs that aim to provide new capabilities or support for existing capabilities throughout the U.S. system of ground-based O/IR facilities. These programs include System Development, which is responsible for planning the strategic evolution of the system and carrying out the activities that are truly system-wide, such as telescope allocation and TSIP, System Instrumentation, Data Products, and the Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office.

1.4.1 SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT


The System Development program includes the activities that were formerly part of the Science Operations program: the general system planning, TAC, and TSIP activities.

FY08 Milestones

Following the conclusion of the ReSTAR committee activity and the delivery of their report, develop a plan for the creation and the evolution of a robust system of U.S. ground-based O/IR facilities. Work with the NSF and with operators of private telescopes to begin to implement this plan.

Organize and carry out a community-based committee effort similar to ReSTAR, but aimed at understanding community needs for large telescopes. Like ReSTAR, the goal is to solicit broad community input in order to produce a science-motivated list of prioritized capabilities.

As part of an overall effort to engage the community in understanding and supporting NOAO’s program, initiate discussions of the development of the telescope system and, in particular, develop an understanding of the capabilities that are missing. The goal is to generate community enthusiasm for new facilities that would provide these capabilities.

Continue technical/management oversight of current TSIP subawards (MOSFIRE/Keck, MODS2/Ohio State, IMACS/OCIW, and ODI/WIYN) and new programs from the FY07 call.

Place call for TSIP proposals for FY08.

Administer the FY08 TAC, including the Regular 2008 TAC and a Call for Survey Programs in 2008A.

FY08 Budget Summary


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NOAO DIVISIONS: SYSTEM

FY08 Work Packages

Telescope Time Allocation Process All activities involved in the telescope time allocation process for standard proposals and proposals to the NOAO Survey Program are in this work package. The semester proposal process includes solicitation of proposals, processing of proposals received into the database, Time Allocation Committee member selection and meetings, and support for the scheduling of the telescopes. In addition, this work package supports community interaction with the process, particularly for non-NOAO or Gemini telescopes. The Survey Program involves an annual meeting of the survey PIs, as well as an annual survey allocation process, which is integrated into the regular TAC process. Support for the NOAO Users’ Committee is also included.

System Planning This work package includes activities to develop a better understanding of the capabilities needed by the community to carry out their research and educational duties, and aims to create new programs to provide these capabilities. It covers the conclusion of the ReSTAR committee meetings and the dissemination of their findings. It also covers the initiation of follow-on discussions in the community to advance both the community support for this approach and to begin to implement new programs that would provide new capabilities. It also includes the initiation of a large-telescope analog to the ReSTAR committee activity to be completed late in 2008.


Telescope Allocations 2.25 282,530$

System Planning 0.75 232,201

TSIP Admin/Oversight 0.29 80,830


Total Program Budget 4.34 726,866$


Cost Recovery: TSIP Admin/Oversight (80,830)


Total NSF Support 646,036$

Table 4System Division

System Development (SD)FY08 Program Budget

Telescope System Instrumentation Program FY08 is the seventh year of the TSIP, which involves an annual proposal solicitation, external review, negotiation of sub-awards/contracts, and technical oversight of funded projects. The administrative, review and oversight expenses are reimbursed from the NSF TSIP allocation.


1.4.2 SYSTEM INSTRUMENTATION


In response to the NSF Senior Review, NOAO is leading a national effort to identify and prioritize needed improvements in the U.S. system of ground-based O/IR telescopes, concentrating on

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improvements for medium-sized and small telescopes. Central to this effort is the formation of a committee on Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research (the ReSTAR Committee). This committee is composed of volunteers from throughout the community, and it is presently engaged in laying out the critical scientific roles for telescopes in the 4-meter and smaller sizes, and in defining the improvements that those telescopes will need in the next five years to maintain and enhance their scientific productivity. NOAO’s instrumentation program is a key part of this renewed emphasis in supporting the entire national system. NOAO and its instrumentation program remain committed to the success and support of the Gemini Observatory and its instrument program, but our focus now will broaden to include much more active support of other elements of the U.S. system. In FY08, the instrumentation program will continue to emphasize development of new technologies for detectors and controllers, but these developments will now be more specifically targeted towards programs to renew the capabilities of existing telescopes in the 4-meter class, such as the WIYN, Blanco, and Mayall telescopes. In addition, the instrumentation program will support the efforts of the ReSTAR Committee and the subsequent activity aimed at understanding the needs for the large telescopes in the U.S. system by providing scientific, technical, and programmatic advice when requested to aid their investigations. Finally, the instrumentation program will be actively investigating one or more options for partnerships with universities for development of a new instrument for the national system. To reflect this change in emphasis, the name of NOAO’s instrumentation program will be changed to the System Instrumentation Program.

FY08 Milestones

Complete NEWFIRM commissioning and hand NEWFIRM over to KPNO staff for scheduled science observing.

Make substantial progress toward implementation of design changes for MONSOON as agreed between MONSOON and WIYN-ODI teams.

Make substantial progress toward implementation of design changes for MONSOON as needed to allow use as a plug-in replacement for old systems on KPNO and CTIO.

Complete fabrication and make substantial progress on assembly and integration of the SAM Main Module, working towards a goal of readiness for delivery to SOAR early in FY09.

Complete detailed design work for the SAM Laser Guide Star module and order long-lead-time components such as the laser and optics for the laser launch telescope.

In connection with the work of the ReSTAR Committee, develop concepts and cost estimates for one or more 4-meter class instruments to support plans for enhancement of the U.S. ground-based O/IR system.

FY08 Budget Summary


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FY08 Work Packages

NEWFIRM This work package represents the labor needed to complete modifications to the instrument following the last commissioning run, reassemble the instrument, and hand it over to KPNO staff on the start of science observing.

MONSOON This work package represents the portion of labor and capital, not paid by KPNO as part of its WIYN obligation, that is needed to implement design changes, agreed upon with WIYN, for the ODI instrument controller code-named DELUGE. This work package also includes the labor and capital needed to begin implementation of the design changes needed by KPNO and CTIO to allow MONSOON to be used as a plug-in replacement for their aging controllers (code-named TORRENT).

New Mid-Sized Telescope Instrumentation Start The labor and incidental expenses associated with the conceptual design and costing of one or more instruments, in support of the work of the ReSTAR Committee is included in this work package. Incidental expenses may include travel costs for scientists at NOAO or partner institutions and fees for consultants as needed to help with design development.


NEWFIRM 1.00 107,488$

MONSOON Development 6.70 654,393

New Mid-Sixed Telescope Instrumentation Start 0.60 86,526

Maintenance and Infrastructure 1.95 328,930

Management 1.4 217,586

SOAR Adaptive Module 7.36 982,253




ETS External Work and Misc. Revenue (50,000)$

Steward Obs. High Bay Rental (36,000)$




System Instrumentation (SI)FY08 Program Budget

Maintenance and Infrastructure This covers the labor needed to maintain the shops, labs, and facilities. The work package also includes the non-payroll spending needed to purchase supplies; purchase and maintain computers for engineers and technicians; purchase or renew software licenses; purchase, maintain, and replace machine tools and other equipment; and provide for staff training and professional development. It includes assumed revenue of $36,000 from Steward Observatory (University of Arizona) for continued rental of the optical test tower and assumed revenue (with offsetting expenses) of $50,000 for incidental instrument shop jobs pursuant to an open agreement with Steward Observatory.

Management This includes the labor necessary to manage the instrumentation program and the non-

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payroll budget to cover supplies, computer purchases, and support for instrument scientists and travel and conference expenses for scientists and engineers working in instrumentation.

SOAR Adaptive Module The labor and capital needed for completing the fabrication and assembly of the Main Module, including much of the integration and testing in preparation for delivery to SOAR are included here. This work package also covers the labor needed to complete the design of the LGS module, and the capital cost of the major items to be purchased for that module including the laser itself and the optics for the laser launch telescope.


1.4.3 GIANT SEGMENTED MIRROR TELESCOPE PROGRAM OFFICE


The Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office (GSMTPO) is charged with promoting the development of a GSMT at a pace that recognizes the timescale of the NSF’s ability to fund significant public participation; representing and advocating the interests of the broad community in public/private GSMT partnerships; serving as a liaison between the (initially private) GSMT projects, the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), and the community; and monitoring the technical progress of these projects for the NSF. In FY08, GSMTPO efforts will include support for GSMT site selection and characterization in Chile and development of the science case and operational requirements for U.S. community access to a GSMT. The plans for these activities will likely evolve during the fiscal year as the result of consultation with the NSF, the U.S. community, and the two ELT projects.

FY08 Milestones

GSMT SWG completes performance vs. aperture study. This should be done early in calendar year 2008.

GSMT SWG starts work on GSMT Design Reference Mission (DRM). This effort requires consultation with the NSF, GMT, and TMT and will include development of mechanisms to engage the community and solicit their input and participation in the process. As part of this effort, a community-wide workshop on “Community Science with TMT and GMT” will be held in FY08.

Disposition of remaining sites is agreed on (continued testing, continuing site concession without testing, abandonment of site after restoration). This will require consultation with potentially interested parties, including but not limited to GMT and ESO.

Assure that monitor equipment loaned to ESO in FY07 is returned.

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FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

GSMTPO Management This package covers management of the work packages listed below, as well as all planning activities related to future roles for GSMTPO. Operating costs such as computer upgrades are also included.

GSMT SWG This work package cover expenses associated with the GSMT Science Working Group, including travel and meeting expenses, plus NOAO staff salaries associated with scientific and logistical support for the SWG. Some funds are budgeted, which could be used to provide partial support for SWG members or associates (e.g., graduate students) working on studies in direct support of the SWG. This is one of the three largest work packages. The GSMT SWG is currently working on a performance vs. aperture study, and is expected to initiate work on a “Design Reference Mission,” which can be thought of as an extended science case for ELT community access. The DRM will be expanded and revised through a series of activities such as community workshops prior to the next Decadal Survey.


Management 1.05 111,637$

GSMT SWG 1.30 401,065

Site Testing 5.35 653,635

TMT Oversight 0.25 44,027

GMT Oversight 0.15 36,358

GSMT Technology Development 0.40 134,962

GSMTPO Science Research North 1.62 185,500

TMT Workpackage Support 3.65 751,000



TMT Services (738,199)$




Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office (GSMTPO)FY08 Program Budget

Site Testing This work package provides for supervision and support of the staff in Chile who are engaged in site testing in Northern Chile, plus some support of activities at other sites. It also covers all operating costs (utilities, legal fees and permits, etc.) for the Chilean sites, as well as scientific input and management contributed from both Chile and Tucson. The overall goal is to maximize understanding of the properties of potential telescope sites in Chile and to enable initial access to such sites. A significant fraction of this effort is currently in support of sites that TMT is considering. If TMT selects one of these sites, any continued support will be reimbursed by TMT. Public access to the site testing data will be provided once TMT has selected a site, and once TMT/NOAO staff have prepared their own initial papers for publication. This work package also includes activities such as work on Las Vizcachas assisting ESO with the loan of (and support of) one of the TMT/NOAO seeing monitors, or development of new site testing and characterization techniques. The FY08 work

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package includes provisions for equipment removal and site restoration for sites on which sufficient data have been collected.

TMT Oversight and GMT Oversight These two work packages provide for salary and travel support for NOAO staff (usually one person) to attend major TMT and GMT meetings, subject to invitation by the respective projects.

GSMT Technology Development One of GSMTPO’s roles is to help in the development of technology that will benefit ELTs. Ideally, such technology should also benefit smaller telescopes. However, capital funding for this activity is extremely limited, though it might provide “seed money” to one or two initiatives. Salary support is for oversight of any such initiatives, plus planning for future activities. This particular work package is likely to join with other activities of the System Division in the future.

GSMTPO Science Research This work-package covers the costs of the science research time of the program’s scientific staff.

TMT Work Package Support As part of the AURA separation from TMT, the three AURA employees in key roles at TMT were allowed to remain as AURA employees, but their salaries and benefits are now paid by TMT. In addition, TMT has contracted with NOAO on a case-by-case basis to carry out technical studies (reimbursed at full-burdened rates); this latter effort is expected to amount to no more than 1 FTE over FY08. The same kinds of services are also available to GMT, but, for the moment, the project has not made use of them, nor indicated a need to do so. Should such a need develop, an additional work package would be created.

1.4.4 DATA PRODUCTS PROGRAM


The transition of DPP from development dominated activities to more focus on operational activities will continue in FY08, with a dual emphasis on NOAO End-to-End (E2E) data management system operations and establishment of NVO operational support activities. Operational activities also turn from a more data-centric focus, making sure the bits are safely transported and stored in the E2E system, to a more user-centric focus as more users come online to download their proprietary data as well as to use the variety of VO tools and services the NOAO NVO Portal offers. This user-centric focus will be integrated into development efforts of FY08, from interfaces to the data products provided, so that all systems better support community science. FY08 will also present the opportunity for more integration of the program, as we transition from supporting IRAF to a focus on more general Science Support Software, which will include not only desktop environment tools such as IRAF but also the integration of desktop environment with the Web-based tools and services currently available through the VO. We plan to pursue this programmatic integration at three levels: more integration of science support at the DPP program level (including data access, user support, Portal, and IRAF/Science software initiatives), at the NOAO program level (including integration

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and close coordination of DPP activities with those at the CTIO, KPNO, SOAR, and WIYN), and at the level of inter-facility and community coordination (in the context of broader Science Support Software development coordination).

FY08 Milestones

Deployment of the next major version of the NOAO E2E data management system, including a new, scalable, data transport system; data remediation framework (to catch and correct bad header information and other erroneous metadata); integration of pipeline processing and processed data; high-level data products (e.g., stacked NEWFIRM and Mosaic images); and an improved NOAO NVO Portal to support both these new E2E features as well as new NVO standards.

Full participation in NVO operations, including developing and documenting testing plans, testing deployed tools and services, and supporting and advocating scientific use of the distributed NVO facilities through leadership in either a NVO Summer School or a VO Science workshop.

Full-scale operations of the E2E system, including daily ingest and data transport from all NOAO instruments, pipeline processing of Mosaic and NEWFIRM data, remediation of erroneous metadata, and support for users.

Documentation of operational plans for both Dark Energy Camera (DECam) and the One Degree Imager (ODI), including the scope of DPP development as well as the operational effort required to support these new wide-field optical instruments.

Development of the long-range plan for Science Support Software development, in collaboration or at least coordination with STScI, Gemini, and other groups with active astronomical software development programs. The plan will identify all affected areas of NOAO (observatory operations to user reduction) and other participating entities, list the steps to be taken, and estimate manpower required over the five years to reduce dependencies on IRAF and move to a modern platform.

Completion of design and scope of a 64-bit implementation of IRAF and commencement of development.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

DP Program Management This work package covers program management activities, including staffing, day-to-day management, staff training and development, and all-staff meetings. Payroll reflects all of the

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management time (head of program and a program manager TBD) and fractions of staff time spent in overall management activities (e.g., all-staff programmatic planning meetings). Non-payroll budget items cover the non-operations costs, including staff travel to support North/South coordination, U. Maryland and NCSA partnerships, staff development, staff computing support (including all desktop development computers), and supplies.

Archive Facility This covers software design and implementation for the NOAO Science Archive (NSA) and related parts of the NOAO E2E data management system. The data transport system will be updated to a scalable messaging architecture, and a robust validation and remediation system will be implemented to catch and correct erroneous metadata. The VO server will also be updated to comply with changes in VO standards.


Program Management 2.15 351,554$

Archive 2.65 271,509

Data Management 5.60 861,336

IRAF Development/Support 0.75 86,296

Pipeline Development 0.65 79,249

NVO Development 2.15 244,536

Portal Development North 2.50 95,297

Portal Development South 1.60 156,772

Science Research North 2.25 296,724



ITR Grant Support: NVO – (153,000)

Misc. Grant Revenue – (56,626)




Data Products Program (DPP)FY08 Budget

Data Management This covers all aspects of operating all DPP systems, including the E2E data management system, from telescope to end-users. Operation of the E2E system comprises the management and operation of the distributed data transport system, the data processing pipelines, the configuration and operation of the NSA data centers in Tucson and La Serena, and the remote operation and coordination of the data center at the NCSA. This work package also includes operation and support of the NOAO NVO Portal, including management of the helpdesk and all end-user interaction for use of the E2E system.

Hardware necessary to support mountain data storage, data storage in Tucson and La Serena, pipeline processing, and user interfaces and tools (Web-based portals) are included here, as is the separate hardware needed to support software development and testing. Funds for Internet bandwidth between NOAO/South and the U.S. are also included in this work package.

IRAF Development/Support (Science Support Software) This is the last year for this work package under the title of “IRAF Development/Support.” In the future, this work package will be titled “Science Support Software” (or something similar) to indicate the broadening scope of the work. For FY08, this package provides for ongoing IRAF system maintenance and support, and documenting the scope of work for a 64-bit IRAF implementation and starting its development.

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Pipeline Development This work package provides for continued development of data reduction pipelines and supporting infrastructure for processing data from selected instruments on NOAO and System facilities. In FY08, this package includes bug fixes and refinements to both NEWFIRM and Mosaic pipelines as well as developing higher-level data products, such as stacked Mosaic images and catalogs from those images.

National Virtual Observatory Development This package covers work involved in the development of National Virtual Observatory (NVO) standards, tools, and services, as well as a newer component of NVO operational effort. In the FY09 timeframe, the NVO will officially move from a development phase to one of operations. The majority of this work package relies upon the funding that NOAO/DPP receives from the grants to the NVO for continued development and the transition to operations. For FY08, this package includes further development of IRAF-related NVO tools as well as some more general tools. More importantly, this package includes NOAO’s participation in operations of the NVO, which will include developing testing plans, testing NVO software, and providing user support. This package also includes the administrative portion of our involvement in the NVO, including the continued in-kind support for involvement of the NVO project scientist and NOAO’s scientific and technical representatives to the NVO. It also includes travel to key NVO and international VO meetings.

Portal Development—North and South From the user’s perspective, the NOAO NVO Portal is a window to a broad range of widely distributed VO resources, including data, tools, and services. The Portal work for FY08 consists of improvements to the Sky and Timeline interfaces; improving the login, data staging, and download facilities; and supporting new and/or changing VO standards. It also includes incorporating new VO tools and services so that users have easy and effective access to them through the Portal interface.

Grants Supported This work package documents grants to individuals (as opposed to the NVO grant, which is to the DP program). These grants may include work related to the DPP core and extended program (such as the mini-VO grants received in FY06) or other external work. In particular, this package includes grant funding that covers non-DPP-related activities by DPP staff, such as a DPP staff member funded to work on the development of an external, non-data-management-related project.


2 NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS

2.1 LARGE SYNOPTIC SURVEY TELESCOPE (LSST)


NOAO is responsible for the design, development and construction of the LSST facilities in Chile, including the telescope, enclosure, and support buildings. A proposal for the construction phase of the project was submitted to the NSF and a successful Concept design review was held in FY07. LSST is expected to hold a preliminary design review in late FY08.

The longest-lead component of the project, and hence the one that would normally be the component that defines the critical path, is the M1/M3 monolith. LSSTC has, however, raised sufficient private funds to let a contract for the casting to the University of Arizona, and NOAO staff will be responsible for overseeing the work on this contract. The next items on the critical path are all tasks being undertaken at NOAO: the design and fabrication of the cell for M1/M3; design of the enclosure; design of the support buildings adjacent to the telescope; and preparation of the site, including the excavation required to provide a platform for the telescope. NOAO has paced its work on these critical path items so as to be ready for a construction start in FY10, with the letting of major external design contracts paced to the key steps in the proposal review process.

NOAO also provides a role to assist in crafting the features and operations details of LSST for maximizing science returns. Several science collaboration teams have been set up by the project along topical lines, initially seeded by scientists from LSST partner institutions. These collaborations will be broadened by extending participation by the wider U.S. astronomy/physics community via a proposal process being designed and supported at NOAO.

FY08 Milestones

Site and Facility:

− analyze the 30-meter anemometer tower and other data to establish Peñón boundary layer height,

− develop the complete rough excavation plan based on Geo-tech report, and

− complete the facility thermal management plan.

Telescope Mount:

− refine the mount dynamic FEA model to propagate earthquake loads to telescope subsystems and

− complete a design study of the hydrostatic bearings.

Reflective Optics:

− finalize M1M3 casting design and monitor casting process and

− complete study of M2 actuator layout for optimum control and performance.

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NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS: LSST

WFS Alignment/Calibration:

− complete version 1 of WFS and reconstruction pipeline prototype and

− support calibration experiments conducted on the sky with existing telescopes.

Software and Control: complete a middleware prototype for functional testing.

Systems Engineering:

− complete a Risk register and risk assessment of telescope construction,

− revise the Coating design based on deposition results, and

− conduct magnetron coating tests on borosilicate substrates.

Project Management:

− conduct subsystem preliminary design reviews and support the LSST PDR and

− provide the Systems engineer to the LSST Project office.

Science Mission and Requirements: lead a “call for proposals” for the U.S. astronomy/physics community for participation in the LSST science collaborations and support the selection process.

Operations Simulator: develop release 3 of the code for broader parametric study of LSST operation.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

Site and Facility Site Measurements: Weather and atmospheric assessment of the El Peñón site will continue this year. The DIMM installed on the peak will be maintained as well as the new 30-meter tower populated with anemometers at intermittent heights. The all-sky images will continue to be stored and processed with the auto-photometry assessment software. The new IR all-sky camera delivered and field tested in FY07 will be installed and operated on Cerro Pachón this year. All site data will continue to be made available through the NOAO LSST Web site.

Site Design and Development: The recently completed geotechnical study and the summit facility concept design will be used to complete a rough excavation plan this year.

Dome: The LSST dome agility requirements will be very demanding and will require unique solutions. A second contracted dome design concept study will be undertaken, with the objective to

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develop competing design solutions that provide first-order cost and performance parameters and identify design impact to other systems in the observatory.

Telescope Mount The telescope mount design will continue to be developed. The focus will be developing a higher-fidelity dynamic FEA model. Further refinements will also be made on the control model to guide additional parametric analysis.

Reflective Optics M1/M3 Development Support: The telescope and site group will continue to work with the University of Arizona to complete the design of the primary/tertiary monolith and monitor the substrate casting this year.

Mirror Support System: Preliminary designs will be completed for the support systems for both the primary monolithic mirror and the secondary mirror. The focus of these efforts will be on support hardware and control architectures for these active mirrors.

WFS, Alignment, and Calibration Wavefront Sensing: The FY08 effort in this area will focus on completing a new Matlab-based package for curvature sensing and completion of an end to end WFS and reconstruction pipeline prototype.

Active Alignment System: The objective of this task is to establish a prototype test plan for the telescope alignment system. The test is to put the commercial product representative of the LSST reference instrument into an observatory environment and verify LSST requirements.

Software and Controls The objective is to develop the observatory and telescope control system design and development plans. Novel and new hardware or algorithm approaches will be validated with the emphasis on reliable, predictable, and robust operation of the selected RTI middleware. In FY08, the task will focus on establishing a functional prototype with multiple clients and representative communication loads.


Site and Facility 1.80 251,697$

Dome 0.55 91,317$

Telescope Mount 1.50 195,319

Reflective Optics 1.85 398,487

WFS Alignment/Calibration 1.00 206,418

Software and Controls 1.95 261,917

Utili ty Systems 0.50 140,553

System Engineering/Integration 2.40 322,163

Project Management 1.65 572,712

Science Miss ion and Requirements 0.55 104,286

Data Management Support 0.25 102,484

Operations Simulator 1.70 177,312




LSST Supplemental Funding (1,177,460)

Total Outside Revenue (1,177,460)$


Does not include FY09 forward funding.

Table 8NOAO-Wide

Large Synopic Survey Telescope (LSST)FY08 Program Budget

* Expenditures for the program funded through the Supplement Carry-forward.

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NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS: LSST

Utility Systems This work package supports the design of the support elements in the LSST and site system. In FY08, the focus is in the reflective coating system design and in the electrical system design. Effort for the coating system will continue to focus on refinement of the coating design and demonstrations at small scales in commercial chambers and at large scales in collaboration with Gemini. The design of the electrical system will also be pursued to adjust the reference equipment to support the evolving LSST designs.

System Engineering and Integration The Systems Engineering effort will focus on the development of the flow-down requirements for the individual systems within the telescope by developing the full error budget. NOAO will contribute to the LSST functional requirements document and operational control requirements documents that are needed to trace science requirements to engineering specifications.

Project Management Telescope and Site Group Management: The telescope and site group is based at NOAO. The core team is located and managed there with additional participation from the LSST collaboration and contracted efforts. This work package will see to the coordinated management of the efforts directed at the telescope and site elements as well as the reporting of progress for both in-kind efforts and Design and Development funded efforts.

LSST Management: NOAO will continue to support the LSST Corporation and Project office with Board level representatives, project operations, and consultation.

Systems Administration Support: NOAO will provide systems administration support of LSST servers, clusters, and communication lines for LSST corporate, data management, and telescope and site assets as required. This will include appropriate personnel for the tasks of both equipment and software administration.

Science Mission and Requirements NOAO scientists will continue to support the science program development, mission priority evaluation, and justifications for the LSST. They will continue to support the interpretation of the science requirements and the evaluation of technical approaches and site parameters on predicted scientific performance. NOAO scientists will investigate temporal and spatial variations in atmospheric extinction to evaluate their effects on photometric calibrations and develop an optimal strategy for auxiliary telescope instrumentation. NOAO will also continue to support the panel commissioned to develop the Design Reference Mission (DRM) and will support the call to the U.S. astronomy and physics communities to participate in the science collaborations being formed to guide the project for maximum scientific return.

Data Management Support Data management system development will be supported with continued efforts to interact with private companies and scientific collaborations to represent LSST interests in fiber communication networks in Chile and from Chile to the U.S. This effort will also include collaboration with the

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project to further develop the data management infrastructure plans especially as they impact the summit and base.

Operations Simulator NOAO will continue to be the lead organization in the development and maintenance of the LSST Operations Simulator. This includes efforts to keep the developed tool maintained and responsive to the needs of the project as well as providing specific and potentially custom versions of the simulator to elements of the project for various investigations. This work package also involves development and initiation of plans to further develop the simulation code toward a real-time scheduler. The scheduler development should stem from the operations simulator and the simulator should remain current with developed algorithms. Addressing these project needs from a single group will keep these activities integrated and coordinated.


LSST Design and Development Supplement The LSST Corporation was awarded a separate NSF grant for the full design and development (D&D) of the LSST System. NOAO receives a portion of the funds to pursue elements of the work captured in the above work packages from this D&D award. Supplement and NOAO funds are accounted separately, but managed as a single coordinated project.

NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS: SRS

2.2 SCIENCE RESEARCH SUPPORT (SRS)


One of the goals of the modifications in our budget tables is to clarify the resources used to support research by the scientific staff, including sabbaticals when appropriate. In FY08, this support is described as a separate activity within the group of NOAO-wide programs.

FY08 Milestones

Transition to a uniform and efficient mechanism for supporting staff research activities, and find ways to encourage the staff to participate in research projects that make use of NOAO facilities.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

Administration of Science Research Support


Science Research Support Admin. and Mgt.

2.30 163,303

Science Staff Development 0.00 130,000

Science Program Research Funds (SPRF) 0.00 332,000

Post-Doc/Other Support 11.86 745,349




Post-Doc External Funding (437,225)


Total NSF Support $ 990,181

Table 9NOAO-Wide

Science Research Support (SRS)FY08 Program Budget

This work package covers the cost of administering the science research support activities. One administrative assistant is provided for this at each site, as well as a fraction of a scientific staff member to oversee the activities.

Development This work package contains the non-payroll funds to support colloquia and scientific meetings.

Post-docs and Others This work package includes the salary support for post-docs, including the NOAO-funded Goldberg fellows and additional post-docs who are funded through various grants.

SPRF This work package includes the individual research support funds allocated to each NOAO staff member. The astronomer-track and scientist-track staff in Tucson are allocated $5,000 per year;

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those in the south are allocated $7,000 to cover the additional cost of travel from Chile. PAEO scientific staff are given $1,000 each and Goldberg Fellows get $10,000.


NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS: PAEO

2.3 PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH (PAEO)


The FY08 NOAO Public Affairs and Education Outreach (PAEO) program is designed to promote a community understanding of the use of NOAO science and its unique facilities. The program emphasizes a range of science education, outreach, community access (in the U.S., Chile, and worldwide), teacher education, and public information. PAEO includes a special emphasis on societal diversity, capitalizing on the large Hispanic and Native American populations of Tucson and the long-time success of its REU program to attract talented minority students at the undergraduate level. This year PAEO will begin building a program to educate the astronomical community on NOAO’s role as the institution that guides the evolution of the ground-based system. Through the NOAO “Engaging the Community Working Group” (ECWG), NOAO will better communicate its current directions; establish closer ties with its regular users; and represent itself, its importance, and its role more accurately to the community at large.

PAEO will continue to be the leader in advancing science education and outreach. Hands-On Optics (HOO) is an optics education program targeted at middle school students, a key age group in lifelong decisions about science. HOO primarily reaches underserved students nationwide in after-school science programs and at informal science centers. In FY08, PAEO will continue distributing the six HOO modules and kits and will conduct related trainings in Arizona, Colorado, California, Hawaii, and New Mexico.

Other major projects include the Project ASTRO and Family ASTRO programs and the Astronomy Research Based Science Education (ARBSE) program (formerly known as TLRBSE). ARBSE trains science teachers in the process of scientific research and includes observing experience at Kitt Peak. This has been expanded to include research with the Spitzer Space Telescope and the NASA Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WISE) mission. These efforts are partnerships with the Spitzer Science Center and the WISE outreach program led by UC-Berkeley.

New this year, are the state-based grant funds from Science Foundation Arizona to amplify both HOO and the ARBSE programs. This will be the final year for Astronomy from the Ground Up, done in partnership with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the internationally-based Association of Science Technology Centers.

PAEO will continue to support meetings and conferences such as the biannual AAS meetings, local outreach with NOAO NSF GK-12 science education fellows, teacher workshops with the Southern Arizona GEMS Center, educator activities with MESA of Arizona, outreach to the Tohono O’odham Nation, and new brochures, posters, and handout materials.

The KPNO Visitor Center will continue to provide daily and nightly programs to approximately 50,000 visitors each year. FY08 will mark the third full year of the Kitt Peak membership program, which is targeted to grow past 200 members by the end of the fiscal year. Members receive a newsletter, members-only events, free admission to telescope tours, and discounts for nighttime programs and purchases in the Visitor Center store.

While support to GSMT outreach via the AURA GSMT D&D award will be ending this year, work will continue on an adaptive optics-related element of HOO and a new prototype module on the challenges of astronomical site testing for the educational CD-ROM “Astronomy Village.” PAEO will continue the LSST D&D work on a RBSE-like teacher-student research project on the

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characterization of Near-Earth Objects. This funding also supports ongoing coordination with LSST education and public outreach (EPO) team telecons, graphical design assistance, conference and media outreach support, a HOO activity connected to LSST, and a new LSST EPO community newsletter.

Finally at NOAO South in Chile, PAEO will be finishing preparations to automate a donated 16-inch telescope for local and remote educational outreach. The NOAO South Outreach program, ASTRO-Chile, conducts videoconference-based bilingual educational workshops between Tucson and La Serena. In FY08, the two interconnected themes will be the geography of Mars and coordinated use across the hemispheres of a remotely controlled robotic rover built by a summer 2007 KPNO REU student.

FY08 Milestones

Lead U.S. planning for the International Year of Astronomy 2009, particularly with international leadership on the Galileoscope telescope kit and a dark-skies awareness program (including GLOBE at Night 2008).

Support expanded NOAO efforts to engage the astronomical community, including publicity for results from the ReSTAR committee, an active NOAO presence at the winter 2008 AAS meeting, multimedia products, and expanded newsletter-style information via email.

Execute the third round of the Spitzer-RBSE Program for Teachers, and expand it to include the NASA WISE Small Explorer mission.

Install at least three new exhibits at the Kitt Peak Visitor Center: the technology of large telescope mirrors, a view of the globe of Earth at night, and a display of near real-time solar images in H-alpha and Calcium-K, supplied from donated Coronado telescopes in the Razdow dome.

Inaugurate the Southern Hemisphere Imaging Program (SHIP) in collaboration with Anssen Technologies of Sydney, Australia, a new twist on the Kitt Peak Advanced Observing Program that will allow amateur astronomer and school access to the southern celestial skies.

Develop a series of planning tools for the Visitor Center operations, which includes a strategic exhibit and development plan.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the selection of Kitt Peak as the site for the U.S. national observatory, in concert with the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Execute the “Reach for the Stars” program requested by the Indian Oasis Baboquivari School District and continue to expand the PAEO presence in educational outreach with the Nation via visits to Kitt Peak, star parties, and Boys & Girls Club programs.

Redo the CADIAS Web site and improve communications between NOAO North and South outreach staff.

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NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS: PAEO

Create a successful version of the Mars remote-sensing activity in ASTRO-Chile that includes using the Mars rover built by a summer 2007 KPNO REU student.

Assist LSST with the development of an EPO program for the construction proposal.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

Public Information and Community Outreach This work package covers the payroll costs of the PAEO manager and the office staff who work on media activities, the NOAO Web site, requests for use of NOAO imagery (including revenue from commercial use), maintenance and growth of the NOAO Image Gallery, responses to public inquiries, and a half-time assistant. This work package also serves as the coordination point with similar offices at the Gemini Observatory, Space Telescope Science Institute, NASA, the Spitzer Science Center, Chandra Science Center, etc., and the Southwestern Consortium of Observatories for Public Education (SCOPE). Included are the costs of the quarterly hardcopy NOAO/NSO Newsletter (circ. 2,200 copies), salary and equipment support for the single-person NOAO Photo Imaging Lab, and the production and posting of the peer-reviewed electronic journal The Astronomy Education Review (AER), a meeting place for those engaged in astronomy and space science education.


Public Information & Community Outreach 4.1 320,132

Public Outreach 1.00 169,949

Educational Outreach 9.30 882,947

REU - North 0.30 96,078

REU - South 0.33 123,151

NOAO South Outreach 2.70 93,218

KP Visitor Ctr. 15.62 956,875




Indirect Cost Recovery NSO – (130,000)

Digital Re-charge & Imaging – (15,000)

Grant Funds – (71,450)

Science Foundation AZ – (186,131)

Grant Funds: REU North – (64,882)

Grant Funds: REU South – (109,479)

Revenue: KP Visitor Ctr. – (681,500)

Public Outreach - Misc. – (3,300)

Revenue: KP Membership – (10,250)

Revenue from LSST – (22,779)

Total Outside Revenue (1,294,771)$


Table10NOAO-Wide

Public Affairs and Educational Outreach (PAEO)FY08 Program Budget

Public Outreach This work package covers the core costs of the management of the Kitt Peak Visitor Center, the cadre of volunteer docents and the general community outreach and informal science programs, and the Kitt Peak Membership program.

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Educational Outreach This provides staff and supporting funds to prepare and conduct NOAO’s non-grant-funded educational programs for teachers and students, and it is the central source of non-salary support funds for the general activities of NOAO PAEO, such as travel and supplies. Major projects include the Project ASTRO and Family ASTRO programs, ARBSE, HOO, Astronomy from the Ground Up, meetings, local outreach, new brochures, posters, handout materials, and GSMT and LSST D&D outreach.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)—North and South These two work packages provide salary support for the KPNO REU site leader and the site leader for the CTIO REU and Práctica de Investigación en Astronomía (PIA) programs. Other costs for supporting the six REU students at each site, such as their 10-week residence and subsequent trip to the January AAS meeting, are grant-funded.

NOAO South Outreach This work package includes the cost of a CTIO outreach coordinator at 0.5 FTE to serve as the primary staff organizer of local activities, in close coordination with the director of the “Centro de Apoyo a la Didáctica de la Astronomía” (CADIAS), a community science center and public library. The center, funded jointly by NOAO and Gemini, was recently granted a four-year extension of its lease with the local municipality via the University of La Serena. The work package also includes support for the ongoing Gemini/NOAO/RedLaSer planetarium program, annual rental and gasoline costs for an AURA vehicle for official local use, liaison activities to assist the many small observatories built by municipalities near La Serena to attract local tourists, and miscellaneous non-payroll support for outreach by CTIO staff.

Kitt Peak Visitor Center (KPVC) This work-package supports daily operations of the Kitt Peak Visitor Center, its staff, and nighttime guides. New elements for FY08 include an mp3 digital audio file-based walking tour, newly installed automation hardware and software for the Visitor Center 20-inch telescope that should allow the start of remote telescope experiences for the public from Kitt Peak, several new exhibits (see milestones), and a fraction of support for a new Kitt Peak mountain computer network support person.


NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS: ADMIN & INFRASTRUCTURE

2.4 ADMINISTRATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

2.4.1 NOAO DIRECTOR’S OFFICE (NDO)


The NOAO Director’s Office program covers the NOAO-wide management activities for the organization. This office communicates directly with AURA and with the NSF. Associated activities under this office include the NOAO library and the safety/risk management office.

FY08 Milestones

In strategic partnership with AURA and NSF, begin the transition to a program that achieves a balance between ongoing operation of the currently active facilities and development of and community representation in the new national initiatives of the future.

Develop and implement new efforts to engage the community, in order to keep them more informed of the activities of the NOAO program, and to solicit their input and advocacy.

Identify potential areas of particular interest for discussion in the next decadal survey and initiate internal and external working groups to study them, establish a consensus, and write white papers to advocate their positions.

Conduct a search for a new CTIO Director to replace Alistair Walker, whose term expires in November 2008.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

Management/Administration The NOAO Director’s Office coordinates the four divisions of NOAO and ensures that NOAO programs fulfill the mission of the national observatory. Reporting to NSF and AURA are the responsibility of this office. The assistant to the director and a half-time administrative assistant are responsible for institutional documents and periodic reports required under the AURA Cooperative Agreement, as well as administrative coordination of the TSIP and AODP programs. The director’s administrative assistant provides day-to-day secretarial and administrative support and logistics and meeting coordination for visiting AURA, NSF, and external committees; the Users’ Committee; and the monthly meetings of the Executive Council and the Management Committee.

NOAO South Director’s Office Funds for NOAO Director’s Office activities in NOAO South are included in this work package.

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Science Research


NOAO Management/Admin. 3.39 $ 476,029

NOAO South Director's Ofiice 0.53 $ 84,449

Science Support 0.29 $ 65,245

Tucson Library 1.00 183,939

La Serena Library 0.63 67,639

NOAO Risk Management 0.75 89,296

NOAO Director's Reserve * 0.00 722,723



Indirect Cost Recovery NSO - Library (50,000)

Gemini Library Support (41,000)$

Grant Indirect Cost Recovery (50,000)$



Table 11Administration & Infrastructure Division

NOAO Director's Office (NDO)FY08 Program Budget

* Includes funds to cover increased medical insurance costs and Peso fluctuation.

This work-package covers the costs of the science research time of the program’s scientific staff.

Tucson and La Serena Library These library work packages are managed by the Director’s Office at each location, Tucson and La Serena, respectively.

Site Safety/Risk Management Risk management and safety functions are centralized in the NOAO Director’s Office. A monthly report is prepared by the risk management specialist; site safety reports required under the Cooperative Agreement are published in the NOAO Quarterly and Annual Reports.

Director’s Reserve This work package contains reserve funds to cover peso fluctuation and increased employee medical costs.

2.4.2 CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES (CAS)


Central Administrative Services (CAS) primarily provides full business services for NOAO North and South, NSO, SOAR, and the WIYN telescopes. In FY06, business support was begun under the Cooperative Agreement through Scientific Program Order #9 to provide business services to the LSST Corporation, of which AURA is a founding member. The focus of this service continues to be to assist LSSTC through the design and development phase in becoming a viable corporation to receive and administer NSF funding once the MREFC funds become available.

In NOAO South, additional services are needed as a result of operating in La Serena, Chile. These services are acquired through the AURA Observatory Support Services (AOSS).

CAS continues to improve its efficiencies through better communications, computerization, and process improvement. As a result of the NSF Senior Review, a cost review of all the AST FFRDCs was begun this past spring. This review will continue into FY08 with possible site visits. NOAO welcomes this review; it will provide NSF and the committee with a better understanding of the complex and integrated system of services provided by NOAO staff. NOAO is proud to have set the standard of best practices in many administrative areas, as noted in the FY06 NSF TBSR report.

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In FY07, our computerized reporting system began a process of upgrades to automate travel requests and expense reports with easy access for our global staff. This has been a challenge but should be completed in early FY08.

CAS plays an important role for all AURA Centers by providing expertise in Import/Export, insurance, and business systems support. In FY07, NOAO assisted Gemini in a financial system change to USL, which NOAO/NSO currently uses, and acts as their software support. NOAO’s purchasing system (REQLESS) and Web-timesheet system has been used by other AURA centers. The Web-timesheet has also been adopted by AOSS in Chile. NOAO will continue that effort in FY08 by focusing on Web-access streamlined programs. However, CAS still emphasizes the need for contacts of the “human-kind” and will continue to provide assistance to both North and South via visits, meetings, and educational seminars.

In keeping with the “Cleaning and Greening of NOAO” theme, CAS will focus on updating policies and procedures to continue to provide full efficiencies with easy access to multiple sites. This will also include review of physical storage areas and types of file storage. During the past three years, CAS has moved to electronic storage systems wherever possible, thus reducing the need for physical storage areas.

Finally, CAS continues to bridge the communications with NOAO South through visits by CAS staff in the areas of human resources, sponsored projects and contracts, property control, budget, and management. These periodic face-to-face visits eliminate communication and procedural issues and ensure the connection between NOAO North and South by keeping all staff focused on the over-all NOAO mission and programs.

FY08 Milestones

Continue the implementation of the on-line travel expense reporting system and signature authorization database, the next add-ons for Reqless.

Install and configure during the first quarter of FY08 new Web-based budgeting software, purchased in FY07, to simplify and improve the accuracy of the budgeting process.

Release a new update to Casnet, NOAO’s on-line financial reporting system, early in FY08. One of the main features of the upgrade will be compatibility with more computer operating systems and browsers.

Create a new Web site for Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) and CAS, which will include an on-line grants policy manual.

Enter and submit the new cooperative agreement proposal into NSF Fastlane by December 1, 2007.

Continue support to Gemini, including the certification of the Gemini On-Site Export Control Officer, and other AURA centers to standardize systems.

Provide supervisor training to complete the certification process. A review of the NOAO polices and handbook will be done to recommend and make changes as necessary. HR will work in

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conjunction with the other AURA Centers to develop a pension plan committee to review pension plan developments and changes.

Continue to automate the Conflict of Interest form for annual submission.

FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

NOAO North General Administration This work package includes the general services provided to NOAO under the AURA umbrella: liability and other business insurance, software licensing, legal consultation, and general management. Non-payroll includes associated travel and costs that provide common support to all CAS work packages.

NOAO South General Administration The main part of this work package is for AOSS per-person charges levied on all staff, in payment for AURA-O and AOSS administrative and HR services. Various AURA-O charges are levied via an F&A rate based on program peso expenditure, this is included in this work package. It also includes freight charges, mostly originating in Tucson; termination payments; retirement payments; and years-of-service payments for ex-staff.


NOAO North General Administration 2.80 437,308$

NOAO South General Administration (AOSS) 0.00 526,851

NOAO Accounting/Payroll 7.00 534,176

NOAO Human Resources 4.00 259,290

NOAO Procurement 3.00 234,298

NOAO Sponsored Projects 2.86 222,380

NOAO Shipping/Receiving 2.90 177,924



Indirect Cost Recovery NSO (387,069)

AURA Corporate Support (42,000)$

Grant, Misc., and Consortium Business Operations Support

(347,250)$



Table 12Administration & Infrastructure DivisionCentral Administrative Services (CAS)

FY08 Program Budget

NOAO Accounting and Payroll Support This includes various related services for NOAO, NSO, WIYN, SOAR, TMT, and LSSTC. Also included are federal reporting for all AURA centers, including AURA Corporate, Gemini, and Space Telescope Science Institute. This includes some AURA and Gemini South operations support.

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NOAO Human Resources This work package includes employee benefits administration, recruitment, topic briefings, compensation survey, benefit negotiations, policy and development, employee regulations (including visa support), and compliance for NOAO, NSO, CTIO expatriates, WIYN, SOAR, and LSSTC. We also provide AURA with assistance on pension administration.

NOAO Procurement Routine purchasing, bids and procurements, and export/licensing controls are in this work package. This is done for both NOAO North and NOAO South with the exception of local Chilean purchases.

NOAO Sponsored Projects and Sub-Awards This work package contains primarily contracts, sub-awards, and proposal coordination for NOAO North and South, and related functions for NSO. It also includes development, negotiation, and pre-and post-award administration of all sub-awards and contracts, including TSIP, AODP, ATST, LSSTC, and other NOAO/NSO divisional programs. Processing of procurements requiring complicated agreements or sub-awards as determined by proposed developed policies in compliance with the NSF cooperative agreement is in this work package. Proposal coordination includes entry into electronic systems, proposal budget development, funding agency information coordination, proposal submission coordination, and related sponsored-funding duties.

NOAO Shipping/Receiving Shipping, receiving, mail operations, inventory and property control, and hazardous material shipping for NOAO and NSO, and other various items related to NOAO customers such as NSO, LSSTC, AURA, and TMT are in this work package.

Indirect Cost Recovery NSO Revenue CAS provides accounting services for NSO.

AURA Corporate Support Revenue CAS provides accounting services for AURA Corporate.

Grant, Misc., and Consortium Support Revenue CAS provides accounting services for WIYN, SOAR, and LSSTC. Grant revenue and other business revenue assisting the astronomical community is also included here.

2.4.3 CENTRAL FACILITIES OPERATIONS (CFO)


Central Facilities Operations (CFO) includes maintenance, security, and grounds support for the Tucson operations at NOAO North (including NSO) and for NOAO South in La Serena, Chile. At NOAO North, CFO supports some of the Kitt Peak (KPNO) services, including the shuttle and vehicle fleet, and, through our work scheduling matrix system, skill support is traded with KPNO when necessary. At NOAO South, CTIO pays for its services through the AURA Observatory

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Support Services (AOSS). AOSS provides maintenance and remodeling support. NOAO South also includes utility and CTIO vehicle costs and the basic infrastructure charges for staff offices.

CFO’s biggest challenges at both North and South are to maintain several aging structures, while accommodating current staff and new programs. Modernizing these facilities is a challenge and often impossible due to original 1960’s designs. NOAO will need to work with NSF over the next year to fully understand the future implications of the constraints of the current facilities with regards to current and possible new programs such as LSST.

In addition to maintenance, NOAO North is reviewing all its space usage and needs. We call this the “Cleaning and Greening of NOAO.” This includes disposal and surplus classification of old property and machinery that no longer is of use to any of the programs. Remodeling will be done to balance the space needs between office and specialty spaces wherever possible. Furthermore, NOAO will formally request NSF to allow demolition of the duplex in the south parking lot in Tucson. Currently, this building is used minimally for storage and is becoming a hazard. NOAO would like to remove the building, replacing it with air-conditioned storage containers, which will reduce the need for storage space and increase efficient usage. Also, it will help free up space to secure the parking lot.

FY08 Milestones CFO North

Complete an Engineering study on the HVAC system operation and develop a plan for renovation and energy efficiency changes to the system. An outside consultant will review the cooling and heating systems and recommend repairs, changes, and/or modifications to improve operation and energy conservation.

Implement a major roofing repair project for the main building office areas. The main roof has been patched periodically over its 20-year life and is in need of a major roofing replacement.

Expand the access control systems to increase security over laboratory and shop areas. Various divisions within NOAO have undertaken efforts to purchase access control components, and staff will proceed with installation over the coming year. Furthermore, CFO staff will install security access and assist with maintenance on Gemini North’s Computer room.

Renovate existing building space to accommodate a new Scientific Interaction space to enhance the exchange of scientific staff ideas and information. A small space is being designed to provide a location for staff to congregate and interact. The main-building lobby will be renovated to accommodate a full-time receptionist to assist in maintaining contact with the community. The La Quinta Conference room will be renovated to accommodate ADA access and a restroom.

Modify the main computer room cooling system to enhance the cooling capacity to accommodate increased computing needs. Computing systems within the main computer room are being upgraded and/or increased, which places a larger heating load on the air-conditioning systems. Engineering and design efforts are ongoing to identify and implement changes.

Dispose of and classify as surplus old property and machinery that no longer is of use to any of the programs as part of the “Cleaning and Greening of NOAO.” Remodeling will be done to balance the space needs between office and specialty spaces.

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FY08 Budget Summary


FY08 Work Packages

NOAO North Tucson Support Services This primary management support package includes administration of the PBX, Audix, and call accounting systems; minor engineering; labor and equipment; travel to other sites for engineering support; and custodial and other general administrative facilities functions.


NOAO North Support Services 3.65 325,829$

North Tucson Building Maintenance 4.33 374,906

NOAO North Tucson Utilities 0.27 425,863

NOAO North Tucson Vehicle Fleet 0.76 121,837

NOAO North Tucson Roads and Grounds 0.19 35,302

NOAO North Tucson Safety and Security 0.33 111,711

NOAO North Building Modification 0.00 225,000

NOAO South Las Serena Facility Support (AOSS)

0.00 188,094

NOAO South Facility Utilities 0.00 92,333

NOAO South Building Modification 0.00 40,000

NOAO South La Serena Vehicle Fleet 0.00 29,160



Indirect Cost Recovery NSO (503,600)



Table 13Administration & Infrastructure Division

Central Facilities Operations (CFO)FY08 Program Budget

NOAO North Tucson Building Maintenance This work package covers all facilities and building operations and maintenance/repairs to Tucson facilities and infrastructure systems, which involves painting, equipment replacement, roofing, energy conservation, improvements, and relocation of offices.

NOAO North Tucson Utilities This includes the NOAO-Tucson facility utility costs: electrical, water, sewer, gas, trash services for headquarters buildings, record keeping, and reporting.

NOAO North Tucson Vehicle Fleet Operation/maintenance of the Tucson vehicle fleet, including fuel, repairs, and replacement as needed are in this work package. Replacement vehicles with high mileage and hybrid capabilities are added to conserve on fuel costs.

NOAO North Tucson Roads and Grounds This covers landscaping, grounds control, and leasing of a parking lot.

NOAO North Tucson Safety and Security Contracted fire watch and off-hours security contracts, regulatory fees, and industrial waste removal fees are here.

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NOAO North Building Modification This work package includes roof replacement, building remodels, demolition, and parking lot resurfacing and security.

NOAO South Facility Support Services (AOSS) This covers AOSS costs for building support and maintenance. This also includes a per staff office fee to cover costs.

NOAO South Utilities This work package is the CTIO portion of the utility costs for the NOAO-La Serena facility.

NOAO South Building Modification Costs of planned remodeling and upgrades to CTIO offices and space are in this work package.

NOAO South La Serena Vehicle Fleet Operation/maintenance of the CTIO vehicle fleet, including fuel, repairs, and replacements as needed are in this work package.

Indirect Cost Recovery NSO This revenue includes payments from NSO for facility and vehicle use, infrastructure support, and other miscellaneous remodeling or support jobs performed by CFO staff. This also includes a minimal payment by Gemini for support for their computer security access system.

2.4.4 COMPUTER INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT (CIS)


The Computer Infrastructure Support program, headed by NOAO’s Chief Information Officer, maintains, supports, and upgrades the computers and networks within NOAO. The activities related to cyber security are becoming more prominent.

FY08 Milestones

Finish planning and then execute an infrastructure improvement plan for the NOAO-Tucson building. Emphasis will be placed on improvements in power and environmental conditioning for the computer lab.

Plan and begin execution of an improvement plan for the Ethernet electronics in “wiring closets” spread around the NOAO-Tucson building.

FY08 Budget Summary


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FY08 Work Packages

CIS Operations This work package includes maintenance and improvement of the facility network and of a secure connection of the facility network to the Internet. It covers maintenance and improvement of a secure software infrastructure providing services to the NOAO-Tucson facility, including e-mail, World Wide Web, FTP, and remote access. The work package also includes configuration and connection to the network, and support and maintenance of computers (including scientific work stations and office PCs) used in the facility.

CIS Modernization Planning and execution of a program to modernize the IT infrastructure of the NOAO-Tucson facility is here. Emphasis will be placed on power and environmental conditioning in the computer lab. Secondary emphasis will be placed on electronics in the “network backbone” in the computer lab, the “wiring closets” spread around the facility, and the cabling (including conduits and channels) that interconnect them.


NOAO North CIS Operations 5.90 711,999$

CIS Modernization 141,200$

NOAO South CIS Operations 5.75 716,293$



Indirect Cost Recovery NSO (170,000)$

Las Campanas Support (45,000)$


Total NSF Support 1,354,492$

Table 14Administration & Infrastructure DivisionComputer Infrastructure Services (CIS)

FY08 Program Budget

NOAO South CIS Operations This work package includes networking and computer support for NOAO South operations, partial or full support for other observatories and programs that use NOAO South facilities, and payment for external Internet II bandwidth. The work package includes maintenance, supplies, and provisions of commercial Internet access across all NOAO South. Other costs included are AOSS utilities and CIS computers, software, and training. The work package does not include purchases of computer equipment for individual programs. Payroll includes a manager responsible for planning and implementation, in collaboration with Gemini, SOAR, AOSS, DPP, Tucson CIS, etc., plus a small group of programmers and technicians. One full-time FTE supports MS Windows systems. Revenue corresponds to 0.5 FTE provided to Las Campanas Observatory for management of their computer network system both in La Serena and at the telescopes.

3 FY08 MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

3.1 FY08 DIVISIONAL ORGANIZATION AND KEY MANAGEMENT

NOAO

KPNO DirectorBuell Jannuzi

Administration & InfrastructureAssociate Director

Karen Wilson

CTIO DirectorAlistair Walker

PAEOAssociate Director

Doug Isbell

NGSC DirectorVerne Smith

LSSTHead of Program

Abi Saha

Data ProductsHead of Program

Chris Smith

System DevelopmentHead of Program

Open

System InstrumentationHead of ProgramDavid Sprayberry

GSMT POHead of Program

Jay Elias

System DirectorOpen

NOAO DirectorTodd Boroson

(Interim)MANAGEMENT A Director heads each of the three “observatories,” KPNO, CTIO, and NGSC. These Directors are active astronomers, selected through a national or international search by a search committee comprising both internal and external members. The CTIO Director also has responsibility for the NOAO South infrastructure support. A System Division Director joins these directors in the new structure. A “Head of Program” leads each program within the System Division. The two remaining Associate Directors are the Associate Director for Public Affairs and Educational Outreach and the Associate Director for Administration and Facilities. These two retain the title Associate Director because they represent the organization externally. Those who are solely responsible for internal programs have the title Head of Program. This creates a more logical matching of function and title. All of these top management personnel make up the NOAO Executive Council, which meets monthly for organization-wide planning and decisions. A Director search is underway for the position of NOAO Director. Other open positions will be filled upon completion of the NOAO Director search.

3.2 FY08 BUDGET SUMMARY

In response to the Senior Review recommendations, NOAO began restructuring its organizational, staffing, and program budgets. The resulting Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) present a clear picture of how resources map into the programs over the course of the proposal period. The new structure lets NOAO track KPNO and CTIO operations, NGSC Gemini support operations,

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FY08 MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

development of system capabilities and support, administration/infrastructure for NOAO North and South, major projects such as LSST, and NOAO-wide programs like PAEO and Science Research Support.

The pie chart below breaks down the NOAO program by division and major program. The numbers represented include the cost of activities funded by the NSF base plus the LSST supplement. They do not include TSIP subawards or any other revenue from grants. Note that the salary cost of the time that scientific staff spends on research is included in each program; the Science Research category comprises the salaries of Goldberg fellows (who have no functional duties) and the support for research activities (page charges, travel to scientific meetings, etc.) provided to the scientific staff.

17.79%

17.11%

5.22%

23.83%

6.28%

3.41%

4.90%

17.65%

3.82%KPNOCTIONGSCSystem DivisionLSSTSciResPAEOAdmin & InfraAURA

Program Divisions TotalKitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) 6,772,862$ 6,772,862Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) 5,400,786$ 5,400,786NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC) 999,231 583,146 1,582,377System Division 5,733,969 2,221,703 7,955,672

System Development (SD) 726,866System Instrumentation (SI) 1,485,096 982,253

Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office (GSMTPO) 1,627,912 690,272 Data Products Program (DPP) 1,894,095 549,178

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) 2,927,688 2,927,688 ^^Science Research Support (SRS) 1,006,728 420,678 1,427,406Public Affairs and Educational Outreach (PAEO) 2,469,188 216,369 2,685,557Admin. & Infrastructure 5,876,255 1,753,572 7,629,827

NOAO Director's Office (NDO) 1,537,232 160,841 Central Administration Services (CAS) 1,865,376 526,851

Central Facilities Operations (CFO) 1,620,448 349,587 Computer Infrastructure Services (CIS) 853,199 716,293

AURA Fee 1,084,733Subtotal NOAO 25,785,921 10,596,254 37,466,908

Outside Revenue -6,901,587Prorgram Costs Less Revenue 30,565,321

LSST Supplement Carry-Forward -1,177,460 *Total Carry-Forward Projected (2,507,861)

Total NSF Base Allocation FY2008 $25,785,921 $10,596,254 $26,880,000

*Does not include the portion reserved of carry-foward that was forward funded by NSF for FY09 (1,314,553).

^̂ Includes expenditures funded by the LSST Supplement Carry-Forward.

Table 15 Rollup TableFY08 Program Plan Budget/Revenue

NOAO-N NOAO-S

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Key to FY08 Work Packages in Table 15

Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO)

Operational and mountain support costs for KPNO including personnel, travel, miscellaneous equipment, tenant support, Site Director’s office, user support, NSO support, instrumentation and modernization upgrades, and other mountain facilities costs. Includes costs of telescope operation and maintenance and partnerships. Does not include NOAO-wide administrative costs.

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO)

Operational and mountain support costs for CTIO including personnel, travel, miscellaneous equipment, AOSS mountain operations, Site Director's office, user support, instrumentation and modernization upgrades, and other mountain facilities costs. Includes costs of telescope operation and maintenance, partnerships, and some ETS support to Gemini and other users. Does not include NOAO-wide administrative costs.

NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC)

Personnel, travel, support, and equipment for NGSC to provide U.S. community access and user support to the two Gemini Telescopes. Support is provided for in NOAO North and South. Science research time for scientific staff that have NGSC functional responsibilities, the NGSC AURA fellowship, and NGSC post-doc support.

System Development (SD)

Cost of Telescope Allocation Committee and activities, including periodic meetings of NOAO user constituencies, other informational workshops and committees, the annual meeting of the survey teams, the new system development office, and administration/oversight costs of the TSIP.

System Instrumentation (SI)

Operations and management of the newly named and re-organized instrumentation program supporting NOAO, the System, and the community. Also includes MONSOON and other instrumentation support.

Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office (GSMTPO)

Management of the newly organized GSMT program office to support the community’s interest in and access to future ELTs. Includes GSMT SWG and other community interactions. Includes oversight of the NSF award-funded effort with the TMT and GMT projects, reporting to NSF, and site-testing work in Chile.

Data Products Program (DPP)

Planning and management of DPP North and South, development and operation of the End-to-End Data Management System, user support, and data management for other initiatives. Includes community involvement and data in the NVO.

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)

Support to move through the final stages of development into construction for the LSST program. NOAO emphasis is on telescope design and site support. Includes support for design and development effort until MREFC funding begins. Provides scientist contribution during construction era, ramping up of data products participation, and the development of an NOAO role in operations era.

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Science Research Support (SRS)

Direct support to science staff, including administrative support, colloquia, travel, page charges and conference/workshops. Also includes salary support for fellowships and those science staff on sabbatical or directly supporting the SRS activity.

Public Affairs and Educational Outreach (PAEO)

NOAO North and South education and public outreach programs, REU programs, public affairs, and graphic arts.

NOAO Director’s Office (NDO)

Activities of the NOAO director, deputy director, administrative support staff, risk management, library, and safety coordination. Also includes these functions as provided by the CTIO Director for NOAO South.

Central Administration Services (CAS)

NOAO wide human resources, accounting/financial management, procurement, payroll, shipping/receiving and export control, AURA corporate and other AURA centers, and LSSTC support. Also includes NOAO South general administrative costs to include AOSS per person costs to cover La Serena administration.

Central Facilities Operations (CFO)

NOAO North facilities operation costs of non-mountaintop building maintenance, roads and grounds, utilities, vehicles, and the computer network in Tucson. NOAO South includes the costs for AOSS support to facilities in La Serena, building remodeling, and CTIO vehicle maintenance and replacement.

Computer Infrastructure Services (CIS)

Computer system support for both NOAO North and South, including network maintenance and software support. Includes system security and access.

AURA Support/Mgmt. F&A

AURA support to NOAO and the AURA F&A for new funds and carry-forward from non-expended FY07 funds. The AURA management fee is calculated based on a G&A indirect rate of 2.5% percent including a negotiated fee of $176K.

Outside Revenue Revenue to support programs from indirect cost recovery, outside agreements, support to AURA Corporate, grant income, TSIP, etc. Refer to the revenue table in the following section for further details.

FY07 Carry-Forward Amount of funds from FY07 carried forward to support the full NOAO program.

Total SF Base Allocation FY08

Amount of new FY08 NSF support funds currently budgeted for the FY08 NOAO program.

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3.3 SOURCES OF FY08 INCREMENTAL FUNDS

Program Divisions TotalKitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) (1,723,263) (1,723,263)Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) (572,944) (572,944)NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC) (100,031) 0 (100,031)System Division (1,114,655) 0 (1,114,655)

System Development (SD) (80,830)System Instrumentation (SI) (86,000)

Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope Program Office (GSMTPO) (738,199)Data Products Program (DPP) (209,626)

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) 0 0Science Research Support (SRS) (437,225) (437,225)Public Affairs and Educational Outreach (PAEO) (1,208,071) (109,479) (1,317,550)Admin. & Infrastructure (1,590,919) (45,000) (1,635,919)

NOAO Director's Office (NDO) (141,000) Central Administration Services (CAS) (776,319)

Central Facilities Operations (CFO) (503,600)Computer Infrastructure Services (CIS) (170,000) (45,000)

Subtotal NOAO Outside Revenue (6,174,164) (45,000) (727,423) (6,901,587)

LSST Supplement Carry-Forward for FY2008* (1,177,461) (1,177,460)

NASA, HST, JPL, and Other Research Grants (2,500,000) (2,500,000)

TSIP (5,000,000) (5,000,000) NOAO Revenue (14,851,625) (727,423) (15,579,047)

*Does not include the portion reserved of carry-foward that was forward funded by NSF for FY09.

Table 16 Rollup TableFY08 Program Plan Outside Revenue

NOAO-N NOAO-S

3.4 FY08 DIVISION OF EFFORT—NOAO SCIENTIFIC STAFF

In accordance with the reporting requirements for the NOAO Annual Program Plan defined in Scientific Program Order No. 1 of the NSF/AURA Cooperative Agreement, the fractional division of effort for each NOAO scientific staff member across FY08 budgeted programs is shown in Table 17 on the following pages.

Scientific staff members and programs shown in Table 17 are those funded under NSF funds allocated to the FY08 NOAO base budget. Programs and scientists (e.g., post-doctoral research associates) funded under external grants or non-AST/NSF sources are not included.

Under AURA policy, astronomer-track scientists at NOAO are accorded 50% personal research time; scientist-track staff are granted 20% research time. These percentages are shown in the Research column of Table 17.

The Sys Dev column covers scientific staff effort for System Development (Tucson), TSIP/AODP management and technical oversight, research management/administration in Science programs (North and South), and general management (director/deputy director in Tucson).


TABLE 17 FY08 Fractional Division of Effort of NOAO Scientific Staff by Budgeted Programs

(FY08 NSF-Allocated Funds Only)

SYSTEM DIVISION

Name Research CTIO KPNO NGSC SYS DEV DPP SI GSMTPO PAEO LSST SCI MGMT Non-NSF Total

Abbott, T. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Blum, R. 0.50 0.35 0.05 0.10 1.00

Boroson, T. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Claver, C. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Croft, S. 0.15 0.42 0.43 1.00

Cunha, K. 0.25 0.25 0.50 1.00

DePropris, R. 0.50 0.40 0.10 1.00

Dey, A. 0.50 0.50 1.00

De Young, D. 0.50 0.40 0.10 1.00

Dickinson, M. 0.50 0.40 0.10 1.00

Elias, J. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Els, S. 0.00 1.00 1.00

Garmany, K. 0.10 0.90 1.00

Gregory, B. 0.20 0.40 0.10 0.30 1.00

Hinkle, K. 0.20 0.70 0.10 1.00

Howell, S. 0.10 0.60 0.30 1.00

Jannuzi, B. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Joyce, R. 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.10 0.30 1.00

Lauer, T. 0.50 0.05 0.45 1.00

Lee, T. 0.75 0.25 1.00

Lotz, J.▲ 1.00 1.00

Macri, L.▲ 1.00 1.00

▲ Post-doctoral research associate (Goldberg Fellow) in FY08. Externally-funded post-docs are not shown in this table.

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SYSTEM DIVISION


Matheson, T. 0.50 0.50 1.00

Merrill, K.M. 0.20 0.60 0.20 1.00

Mighell, K.J. 0.00 0.25 0.75 1.00

Miller, C.J. 0.50 0.50 1.00

Najita, J.R. 0.50 0.40 0.10 1.00

Norman, D. 0.67 0.33 1.00

Olsen, K. 0.50 0.40 0.10 1.00

Pompea, S. 0.10 0.90 1.00

Probst, R. 0.20 0.30 0.10 0.40 1.00

Rajogapal, J. 0.50 0.25 0.25 1.00

Rest, A.▲ 1.00 1.00

Ridgway, S.T. 0.00 0.10 0.90 1.00

Ridgway, S.E. 0.50 0.50 1.00

Rudnick, G.▲ 1.00 1.00

Saha, A. 0.50 0.05 0.45 1.00

Schuler, S.▲ 1.00 1.00

Shaw, R.A. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Silva, D. 0.00 1.00 1.00

Smith, M.G. 0.50 0.25 0.10 0.15 1.00

Smith, R.C. 0.20 0.05 0.60 0.15 1.00

Smith, V. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Post-doctoral research associate (Goldberg Fellow) in FY08. Externally-funded post-docs are not shown in this table. A Rest leaving mid-year of FY08.

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49



SYSTEM DIVISION


Sprayberry, D. 0.20 0.08 0.58 0.14 1.00

Stanghellini, L. 0.50 0.50 1.00

Tokovinin, A. 0.50 0.30 0.20 1.00

Valdes, F. 0.20 0.65 0.15 1.00

van der Bliek, N. 0.20 0.30 0.50 1.00

Walker, A.R. 0.20 0.80 1.00

Walker, C. 0.10 0.90 1.00

New NOAO Director 0.20 0.80 1.00

4 STATUS OF FY07 MILESTONES

NOAO GEMINI SCIENCE CENTER

FY07 Milestones

Provide support for five visits per semester to one of the Gemini sites by an NGSC astronomer for the purposes of observing queue operations and instrument familiarization

STATUS: Accomplished. The milestone number of visits was exceeded with 7–8 visits per semester.

Support NOAO’s Phoenix spectrograph at Gemini South in classical mode until Gemini removes it from the telescope in calendar year 2007

STATUS: Accomplished. Due to the GNIRS accident, Phoenix will remain on Gemini South at least through 2008A, in queue or classical mode.

Continue close communications with the U.S. Gemini Science Advisory Committee after a successful in-person meeting in October 2006 by holding telecons to inform the U.S. GSAC of the most recent commissioning plans and the resulting impact on the U.S. community for the large amount of new instruments planned for Gemini South in 2007

STATUS: Accomplished. Note that users were surveyed in early 2007 on their views and thoughts about U.S. participation in Gemini and, in particular, the Aspen Program of future instruments and capabilities. These views are being shared with the U.S. SAC.

Oversee the testing and final integration phases, through acceptance testing and final delivery, of the FLAMINGOS-2 near-infrared multi-object spectrograph for Gemini South being built at the University of Florida

STATUS: The University of Florida is still undergoing integration and testing of FLAMINGOS-2, so it has not entered acceptance testing or final delivery. NGSC continues to manage the project.

Maintain strong ties to the Gemini North base facility by having staff visit on extended stays to interact with the Gemini North staff

STATUS: Accomplished. The amount of time spent by NGSC staff at Gemini North has been increasing.

Provide help to organize and some support for the Gemini Science 2007 meeting to be held in Brazil in May 2007

STATUS: Accomplished. The meeting had an attendance of just over 130 astronomers from all Gemini partners and was a success.

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STATUS OF FY07 MILESTONES

CERRO TOLOLO INTER-AMERICAN OBSERVATORY

FY07 Milestones

Achieve DOE and NSF approval for the Dark Energy Survey project, thereby allowing construction of DECam to proceed

STATUS: The positive outcome of jointly conducted DOE and NSF reviews has allowed the project to proceed. The glass for the optical corrector, the critical path item, was ordered in late FY07.

Complete SOAR telescope commissioning activities, and progress the Goodman Spectrograph to operational status

STATUS: The SOAR telescope is performing very well and delivering image quality that matches the site seeing. Delivery of the Goodman Spectrograph being built at the University of North Carolina has been delayed to FY08 owing to problems with optics and detectors.

Reduce budget deficit to zero

STATUS: Stringent spending restrictions, together with some reprogramming of NOAO funding following the implementation of the Senior Review report has allowed the budget deficit to be reduced to zero.

KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY

FY07 Milestones

Commission the new wide-field near-IR imager, NEWFIRM, on the Mayall 4-m telescope

STATUS: NEWFIRM had two very successful commissioning runs during FY07. KPNO engineering and mountain facilities groups worked successfully with MIP to enable these runs. The first visiting astronomers are scheduled for observing runs in October 2007.

Commission the OTA (orthogonal charge transfer) mode of the optical imager QUOTA on the WIYN 3.5-m telescope

STATUS: While commissioning of QUOTA has progressed well, the OTA mode has not yet been commissioned. This work is pending improvements in the MONSOON controller. While a final schedule for completion of this work is still pending, we anticipate commissioning of the OTA mode during the first half of 2008.

Commission the WHIRC near-IR imager on the WIYN 3.5-m telescope

STATUS: WHIRC had two commissioning runs during FY07. The quality of the optics and basic functioning of the instrument have been verified. Shared risk proposals will be accepted for observing runs during the first half of 2008. During 2008, the use of WHIRC with WTTM will be commissioned.

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Complete the search for and hiring of a director for Kitt Peak National Observatory

STATUS: The search was successfully completed with the hiring of Dr. B. T. Jannuzi as the new director of Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Complete the upgrade of the Bench spectrograph for the WIYN 3.5-m telescope

STATUS: Unfortunately this goal was not met. In early 2007, it was recognized that the mechanical and optical design needed to be reworked. This work is progressing. A revised schedule for completion of the upgrade during FY08 is being prepared.

TUCSON DIVISION PROGRAMS

SCIENCE OPERATIONS—O/IR SYSTEM

FY07 Milestones

FY07 TAC administration, including public time on Keck, Magellan, MMT, and HET

STATUS: Proposal pressure, measured in number of nights requested over number of nights available to observers, increases with telescope size, being ~3.5 for apertures larger than 6.5 m, ~2.5 for apertures of 3–5 m, and ~1.5 for apertures smaller than 2.5 m. The admixture of astronomical subjects proposed is similar to that of previous years in most fields of research, except the number of extra-solar planets proposals is increasing. There was not an NOAO Survey Call for Proposals in FY07.

Management/administration of FY07 Telescope System Instrumentation Program (TSIP): call for proposals, external review, technical/contractual oversight of previously awarded projects

STATUS: Final payments to all active TSIP sub-awards were made in FY07. MOSFIRE completed its detailed design review and has entered fabrication. Mosaic2 is expected to arrive at Magellan in Spring 2008, while MODS1 should reach the LBT by Summer/Fall 2008. ODI is under full-scale development. The FY07 call resulted in five system improvement (i.e., instrument) programs and two system access proposals totaling $10.4M. The review committee will meet October 16, 2007, in Tucson to make allocations ($2M is available for new starts).

Development, in collaboration with NSF AST staff, of a new process for the Adaptive Optics Development Program. This process would combine a peer panel review with additional input to guide awards towards studies aligned with a strategic plan for ELT AO systems.

STATUS: This has been achieved, through discussions within ACCORD and directly with the NSF AST staff. Although AODP will be made a part of the ATI program, proposals will be reviewed as a separate group. Included in this review will be a preceding step in which each proposal will be assessed in terms of its alignment with the AO Roadmap. This roadmap will be updated periodically with a community-based meeting.

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Hold a third community workshop on the O/IR system, and issue a report from this workshop. As a follow-on activity, bring together the operators of public and private telescopes that are in the 2–5-m aperture class to discuss mechanisms through which these telescopes could behave in a more systemic manner.

STATUS: The Third System Workshop on the Ground-Based O/IR System was held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in November 2006. A strong endorsement for a well-instrumented suite of high-performance telescopes of all apertures came from this discussion. As a result, the ReSTAR (Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research) committee was formed and charged to develop a quantitative set of requirements for the small and mid-sized end of this system. A number of contacts have been made with operators of telescopes in this aperture range to begin understanding how to satisfy those requirements.

SCIENCE PROGRAM (NORTH)

FY07 Milestones

Enhance mentoring program to reach the astronomer and scientist staffs, both as “good practice” and as critical to full understanding of the implications of the changes underway in the NOAO mission as a consequence of the Senior Review

STATUS: The staff mentoring program has continued informally. More relevant to the Senior Review recommendations, however, is that the staff have become involved in discussing and organizing the new NOAO-wide parts of the mission, including renewed emphasis on engaging the community and a better understanding of the desirable evolution of the system of telescopes.

Continue vigilance of over-matrixing of staff, particularly in light of mission changes resulting from Senior Review recommendations

STATUS: Staff have become less over-matrixed to the extent that the scientific managers have been discussing the detrimental aspects of this—a sense of compartmentalization within the organization.

Continue a strong colloquium schedule

STATUS: Accomplished. The program provided the following topics and speakers as a source of intellectual stimulation for NOAO, Steward, and LPL staff:

“Fundamental Issues in the Formation and Early Evolution of Low-Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs”

Keivan Stassun Vanderbilt University

“The Thick Disk of the Milky Way in the SEGUE Survey”

Constance Rockosi UCO- Lick

“The Search for our Molecular Origins: The Formation and Distribution of Large Prebiotic Interstellar Molecules”

Anthony Remijan NRAO Green Bank

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“Shedding New Light on Extragalactic Radio Sources with the Great Observatories”

Teddy Cheung Stanford

“Star Formation and the Schmidt Law in the Local Universe from Spitzer”

Daniela Calzetti Space Telescope Science Institute

“Chondritic Meteorites and the Evolution of the Solar Nebula”

Fred Ciesla Carnegie Institution of Washington, Dept. of Terrestrial Magnetism

“Now we are (at Redshift) Six*” Sangeeta Malhotra ASU

“Observational Challenges about Galaxy Formation and Evolution in the Distant Universe”

Emanuele Daddi CEA Saclay/ Service d’Astrophysique (France)

“The Space Interferometer Mission: Parallaxes, Planets and More”

Dr. Shri Kulkarni California Institute of Technology

“Dust Enshrouded Star Formation and AGNs at High Redshift”

Dr. Andrew Blain California Institute of Technology

“Dark Energy and Cosmic Sound” Dr. Daniel Eisenstein Steward Observatory

“Spatially Resolved Dynamics of High Redshift Galaxies”

Dr. Reinhard Genzel Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching, Germany. Dept. of Physics, University of California, Berkeley

“Mass Loss in the Large Magellanic Cloud: A Spitzer SAGE View”

Bob Blum NOAO

“The Central Dark Mass at the Center of Our Galaxy” Dr. Andrea Ghez UCLA

“The Environments of Galaxies as Triggers for Star Formation ‘Quenching’”

Dr. Darren Croton Douglass Fellow

“Disintegration of Comets: Infrared Observations of Split Comets and Debris Trails”

Dr. William Reach California Institute of Technology

“Magellanic Mystery Tour” Dr. Jason Harris Steward Observatory

“Have We Detected the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium?”

Dr. Fabrizio Nicastro Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

“The Observed Properties of Dark Matter on Small Spatial Scales”

Dr. Gerald Gilmore Institute for Astronomy, UK

“Multi-wavelength Properties of Obscured Quasars” Dr. Nadia Zakamska Douglass Fellow

“The Dark Matter Density Profile in Galaxy Clusters” Dr. David Sand Steward Observatory

“What’s so ‘Super’ about Super Star Clusters?” Dr. Kelsey Johnson University of Virginia

“Kinematics of the Milky Way’s Dwarf Spheroidal Satellites”

Matthew Walker University of Michigan

“Large Scale Structures and Galaxy Evolution in the COSMOS Survey”

Nick Scoville California Institute of Technology

“Spectroscopic Observations of Icy Dwarf Planets: Providing Context for the New Horizons Mission to Pluto”

Stephen Tegler NAU

“The Era of Comparative Exoplanetology” David Charbonneau Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

“Galaxies in ‘Normal’ Intermediate Redshift Clusters” Greg Rudnick NOAO

“The Spitzer IRS View of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies”

Lee Armus Spitzer Space Center/IPAC/ Cal Tech

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NOAO DIRECTOR’S OFFICE

FY07 Milestones

In strategic partnership with AURA and the NSF, develop a viable plan by which NOAO can respond to the recommendations of the Senior Review

STATUS: Following the release of the Senior Review, NOAO management and staff developed a plan for implementation of the recommendations. Development of this plan involved strategic discussions within AURA as well as clarifying discussions with NSF AST staff.

Assist AURA in development of a new 5-year proposal for operations of NOAO

STATUS: This activity was started early in FY07 and was mostly completed before the NSF decided to delay the deadline for the proposal until December 1, 2007. The proposal was reviewed and approved by the AURA Observatory Council in September 2007, and it is on track for submission by the deadline.

Complete the recruitment for the director of Kitt Peak

STATUS: Following a search that drew applications from a number of outstanding candidates, Buell Jannuzi was offered and accepted the position in March 2007.

COMPUTER INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT (CIS)

FY07 Milestones

Continue the effort to maintain the long-term viability of the Tucson-Kitt Peak data connection

STATUS: Efforts are ongoing on the political side (improving relationships with the Tribal Utility Authority), the tenant side (U. Indiana apparently has both interest and money in improving the bandwidth to Kitt Peak as ODI comes online), and the technical side (obsolete hardware is being replaced with hardware that can support higher bandwidth and can be supported by companies that are still in business).

Configure and install a more powerful hardware platform for www.noao.edu

STATUS: The hardware and software for new-www.noao.edu is complete and has been tested. To avoid stability issues, we will switch from new-www to www during a narrow window of opportunity between NOAO Observing Proposal cycles. We are awaiting such a window of opportunity.

Improve the NOAO-Tucson network monitoring and early-warning systems

STATUS: Efforts are ongoing.

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CENTRAL FACILITIES OPERATIONS (CFO)

FY07 Milestones

Complete corridor flooring update of floors within the East Wing area

STATUS: The flooring update project was completed with the installation of tile in the main corridor of the East Wing floor. The matching tile and pattern have now been placed in the main corridors of both the first floor and basement levels of the main building and first floor of the East Wing.

Continue with program to refurbish 40-year-old mechanical air-handling systems within the main building

STATUS: During the past fiscal year, four of the original construction air-handling units have been refurbished with the installation of new, dual-fan blower units. Parts are in-house to refurbish another unit when the outside temperatures allow the shutdown of the unit. Additional work on the system will be planned once an outside engineering study has been completed on the HVAC system operation.

Replace worn out rooftop HVAC package units in the CAS facility

STATUS: There are approximately eight rooftop package units serving the CAS facility. During FY07, three worn out rooftop units were replaced and the remaining two older units will be scheduled for replacement in the coming year to complete the project.

Develop a plan and implement changes to provide increased access control and security over main parking lot

STATUS: A plan was developed and bid documents were finalized to fence in the lot and utilize existing employee access cards for vehicle entry. The project is currently out for bid and plans are to complete the work prior to the end of the current calendar year.

Final completion of the ADA access ramp from LSST area to MIP to allow full access to the rooftop offices

STATUS: The access ramp has been completed to connect the LSST mezzanine area to the second floor engineering area. This access will allow a handicapped individual to access the second floor engineering area and rooftop modular offices.

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES (CAS)

FY07 Milestones

Human Resources (HR) will implement a change in the medical benefits carrier due to a mandate from the state of Arizona. HR will provide informational meetings and communications and

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update the Web site to make a smooth transition. HR will also provide supervisor training to complete the certification process started in FY06.

STATUS: The transition to CIGNA as the new healthcare provider for all of the NOAO and NSO plans was accomplished. Overall, the administration of the transition went very smoothly and areas where there were communication and implementation problems have been resolved. Informational meetings and updates to the HR Web site were completed, and updates continue. A new section was added to the HR Web site to provide a wealth of wellness information to employees. Due to the delay in hiring of staff, the process for completion of the supervisor training was not completed; however, it is one of the top priorities for FY08.

Business Administration will successfully implement the new Conflict of Interest policy as required by the Total Business Services Review

STATUS: HR was successful in setting up a tracking system for the COI forms and getting the policy and forms on the Web site. We will continue to automate this in FY08.

Sponsored Projects will complete the grants management system update including electronic file jackets and furthering their role in reporting, compliance and assistance

STATUS: The Sponsored Projects Office completed the grants management system database. This new database provides staff with a listing of all their grants, including the title, funding source, award start/end dates, amount of the award, and funds remaining on the award. Staff may also view a copy of the executed award and any subsequent amendments.

Accounting and Purchasing will implement the on-line check request and travel request portions of the Web-based requisitioning system (Reqless), and add a module for on-line travel expense reporting and update of signature authorization. Additionally, Accounting will prepare for the retirement of the business manager by reviewing the current functions performed, training existing staff to assume responsibility for various new duties, and realigning workloads.

STATUS: Programming is complete for the on-line check request and travel request portions of Reqless. Activation of these modules is expected within the first quarter of FY08. In preparation for the retirement of the business manager, a new accountant was hired during the last quarter of FY07. Workloads and duties have been reassigned among the accounting staff to ensure the same high quality of service is provided to all CAS customers.

NOAO Central Administrative Services will work with NSF on accurately reviewing and compiling costs for the Operational Management review as referenced in the Senior Review report

STATUS: CAS worked diligently with the other NSF-funded centers operated by AURA to gather and provide detailed information for the NSF Cost Review and will continue to do so in FY08.

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NOAO-WIDE PROGRAMS

NEW INITIATIVES OFFICE (NIO)

FY07 Milestones

Develop new program plan for NIO consistent with Senior Review recommendations and NSF directives

STATUS: This was completed, and is reflected in the GSMTPO work packages section. Part of this new role is the restructuring of NIO as GSMTPO, within the NOAO System Division. Further modifications may take place during FY08 as a result of interactions between TMT, GMT, the NSF, and the U.S. community.

Complete report on GSMT science as a function of aperture

STATUS: This GSMT SWG could not resume its activities until the new GSMTPO role was fully defined and agreed to by all affected parties. The reconstituted SWG first met in June (by telecon) and scheduled the first face-to-face meeting to resume work for the report for November 2007.

Complete initial site testing in Chile and provide support for production of site-testing report

STATUS: Site testing on several of the sites will continue through the first part of calendar year 2008. Testing on one of the Chilean sites has been completed, the equipment has been removed and the site has been restored. Work on the site testing report is largely complete; work on publications is on-going.

Conditional on funding, select trans-Antarctic mountain test site

STATUS: The proposal was not funded. NOAO has withdrawn from this effort, due to its inability to provide significant resources.

Conditional on funding, deploy astronomical test equipment on Dome A and at the selected trans-Antarctic mountain test site

STATUS: See preceding status paragraph.

Hold workshop on the future development of optical interferometry

STATUS: The workshop was held in November 2007.

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LARGE SYNOPTIC SURVEY TELESCOPE (LSST)

FY07 Milestones

Project Management and Systems Engineering

Support the LSST MREFC proposal development

Participate and support the LSST concept design review now anticipated in Spring 2007

Provide the LSST interim systems engineer

Support efforts to secure an AURA agreement with Chile for LSST

STATUS: Excellent progress was made in each of these milestones this year. The MREFC proposal was submitted in February 2007, and the Concept design review was held in September 2007. NOAO continued to provide support to Chuck Claver in his role as the LSST systems engineer, and talks with the Chileans have been ongoing to establish the AURA Chile agreement for LSST.

Facility and Site

Install and operate a 30-meter tower equipped with anemometer sensors on the LSST site

Develop an excavation plan for the summit

Complete the auto-photometry software package for use on the all sky camera

STATUS: The new 30-meter tower was fabricated and installed on site. Data from the anemometers is being stored, and results are included in the NOAO LSST Web site. The auto-photometry program is functioning and used off-line to process the previous night’s data. Implementing a real-time version is planned for FY08. Development of the excavation plan made progress this year with the completion of the geo-technical study and the facility concept design.

Wavefront Sensing and Alignment

Develop a prototype test plan for a Telescope Alignment System

STATUS: The effort in the area of the alignment system has focused on industry interactions and participation in several tests of vendor equipment at customer sites. The formal test plan has been rescheduled for FY08.

Software and Control

Establish the TCS prototype

Complete the first release of the prototype middleware client

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STATUS: There has been substantial progress in developing a TCS prototype this year. A revised C++ wrapper to the Rutherford pointing kernel was completed, and a collaboration was set up with CTIO in development of the Blanco TCS. This new TCS will be developed in conjunction with the LSST concept, allowing both to advance by taking advantage of combined resources and objectives. The middleware prototype was completed and an abstraction layer was published to facilitate design and prototyping of software client code.

Science Requirements

Collaborate with LSST scientist to establish a reference cadence

Lead an investigation of sky conditions in the IR all sky camera and visible all sky camera

STATUS: NOAO scientists have continued to stay involved in the refinement of the science requirements, participation in the LSST science council, and review and analysis of the reference observing cadence. The New IR all-sky camera has been delivered by Solmirus and has been field tested in Tucson, Mt. Bigelow, and Kitt Peak. Small sky brightness monitors have also been developed with photodiodes that will also be put on Cerro Pachón in early FY08.

Operations Simulator

Lead the group of LSST and PanSTARRS collaborators on continued development

Provide LSST engineering teams with cadence simulation tool for engineering study

STATUS: NOAO continues to lead the development and operation of the LSST cadence simulator. This group includes significant participation from other LSST partners (UofA, LLNL, and UW) and coordination with PanSTARRS has continued.

MAJOR INSTRUMENTATION PROGRAM

FY07 Milestones

Deliver NEWFIRM to the KPNO Mayall telescope, complete commissioning and begin science verification observing

STATUS: Nearly complete. NEWFIRM achieved first light as expected in late January 2007, and had its second commissioning run in July 2007. Problems encountered in the rework between runs, combined with bad weather during the July run, prevented completion of all commissioning tasks. As of this writing, all tasks are on schedule for the beginning of scheduled science observing in November 2007.

Deliver completed MONSOON system for the WIYN Bench Spectrograph (CCD version)

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STATUS: Delayed due to delays in completion of the mechanical design for the MONSOON and dewar mount, and delays in selection of a CCD. MONSOON hardware and software are essentially ready pending resolution of mechanical interface and detector issues.

In collaboration with WIYN staff, implement OTA control on QUOTA MONSOON system

STATUS: Completed as to developments required within MONSOON system for OTA control and charge shifting. Preliminary centroiding algorithm (supplied by WIYN staff) requires additional work to allow measurement of required shifts with required speed.

Make substantial progress toward completion of MONSOON controller for ODI

STATUS: Completed. MONSOON and WIYN-ODI teams have jointly arrived at a configuration that meets all requirements and is consistent with prior MONSOON developments.

Complete fabrication and make substantial progress towards integration and testing of the SAM Main Module

STATUS: Not completed but substantial progress was made. Fabrication of the Main Module structural members should be complete by the end of the second quarter of FY08, but earlier fabrication of many components during FY07 will allow subsystem integration to proceed in the meantime, reducing overall schedule delay.

Hold successful Preliminary Design Review for the SAM Laser Guide Star (LGS) system

STATUS: Completed. Preliminary Design Review held for LGS on Friday, 28 September 2007.

Carry out conceptual design work for one new instrument for a 4-m telescope, to a level sufficient to allow meaningful total cost and schedule estimates

STATUS: Substantial progress was made. A Science Working Group was formed to prioritize capabilities for 4CES, a 4-Meter Cryogenic Echelle Spectrograph. The initial optical design was developed for 4CES. The initial mechanical design is needed prior to estimation of costs.

DATA PRODUCTS PROGRAM (DPP)

FY07 Milestones

Deployment & operation of v1 of NOAO End-to-End (E2E) data management system. Operation of this system marks a major new focus of effort within the DPP program, given that up to now the focus has been largely on the development of the system. Significant changes in staff responsibilities will be required. This will include delivery of more than two years of cached NOAO data to PIs and community. Ingest of this data into the NOAO Science Archive will make it available to both PIs and the wider astronomical community, providing a quite significant increase in the overall total data volume available through the NVO (an additional 20 TB!)

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STATUS: As of the end of FY07, we have deployed v1 of the NOAO E2E data management system for testing by selected users of the broad NOAO community, in particular PIs of selected 2007B observation programs. This E2E system includes the well-tested DCI (Data Capture Initiative) version of the data transport system, an upgraded NOAO NVO portal that supports user authentication (necessary to support proprietary data) and the newly re-engineered Archive component that has been in development over the past few years. During this operational test period, we will refine operational procedures and the software based on community input before opening the system to all PIs and full public access.

Delivery of components in support of NEWFIRM. DPP must deliver the NEWFIRM Data Handling System to support the management of the data coming directly off the camera and the creation of FITS files. DPP also must deliver a NEWFIRM quick-look observing environment for use on the mountain, as well as a NEWFIRM pipeline processing system for creation of archive-quality processed data products. These image processing tools will be based on IRAF tasks, so a NEWFIRM IRAF package will also be delivered.

STATUS: The NEWFIRM Data Handling System (DHS) was delivered in time to support both of the NEWFIRM commissioning runs, and initial elements of the quick-look observing environment were delivered for the latter commissioning run. DPP staff were actively involved in support of both commissioning runs, and elements of the NEWFIRM pipeline processing system were used by DPP staff to create the reduced first light and other early images. The NEWFIRM IRAF package was completed and will be released with the IRAF 2.14 release. Refinement of the DHS, quick-look environment, NEWFIRM pipeline, and NEWFIRM package awaits further evolution of the NEWFIRM data structures (e.g., FITS headers and additional metadata), which still require refinement for effective use by engineers, support scientists, PIs, and archival users.

Delivery of VO-capable IRAF package. VO capabilities were developed in FY06 with the support of NVO funding. The release of these new capabilities to the community requires additional work to build a new IRAF release.

STATUS: The IRAF VO package, including an external package of tools and associated vo-cl (upgrade to the standard IRAF cl command line interface) was completed, although further refinement and changes toward the end of FY07 were necessary to support ongoing changes in NVO standards and related activities. IRAF 2.14 was announced in the September 2007 NOAO newsletter, with a beta release to be made available in October 2007 and final release around January 2007. This release includes not only VO capabilities, but also support for the NEWFIRM package, changes in the core of IRAF required for both VO and NEWFIRM capabilities, and bug fixes and features which had been developed since the last official release (version 2.12).

Development of v2 of the NOAO E2E system for delivery in early FY08, supporting more advanced NOAO data products (e.g., stacked MOSAIC images) and supporting more advanced VO tools (many developed by the broad VO community)

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STATUS: Development for v2 (or v1.2?) of the NOAO E2E system began in earnest in Quarter 4 of FY07. This system will include a new data transport system, capable of capturing and tracking more data and metadata, development of stacked image data (including NEWFIRM and Mosaic), and support for more VO tools and services in the NOAO NVO Portal.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH (PAEO)

FY07 Milestones

Identify new funding source(s) for Hands-On Optics to continue this valuable program in FY08

STATUS: Prepared and submitted a successful proposal to Science Foundation Arizona for $250,000 in funding support over three years to conduct Hands-On Optics programs at rural Arizona schools and after-school programs.

Develop an online data access/research component to the Astronomy Research Based Science Education (A-RBSE) program

STATUS: A new Web page for the ARBSE program was created with prominent links to data sets. HST grant-related EPO funds related to this task arrived very late in FY07. Liaison activity with the NVO and “Sky and Google Earth” continued.

Support dark skies education through activities at the “Night Sky” meeting in Washington, DC, in February 2007 and an expanded GLOBE at Night 2007 program

STATUS: Both the DC meeting and GLOBE at Night 2007 were major successes, including 85% more measurements in GLOBE at Night in 2007 versus 2006, and a press conference at the May 2007 AAS meeting. “Dark Skies Awareness” is now a major cornerstone of IAU planning for the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Automate the “El Enano” telescope for outreach at Cerro Mayu in Chile

STATUS: Ongoing by an NOAO South team of outreach coordinators and technical staff.

Develop a strategic plan for the Kitt Peak Visitor Center (KPVC), including a fundraising component and long-term exhibit plan

STATUS: Public Outreach Manager R. Fedele completed formal certification from the National Association for Interpretation, and a long-term interpretative plan was completed. An exhibit plan and development plan remain strategic goals for FY08.

Completely automate the KPVC 20-inch telescope dome for remote Web-based public program use

STATUS: Hardware and software have been purchased and installed. Remote access will begin in FY08.

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Finish the design and install the new “Sunnel” exhibit in the public hallway of the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, and install a new telescope mirror display in the KPVC

STATUS: Project stalled due to surprise departure (for personal reasons) of the REU student who had originated the idea. A new project coordinator was hired in late August 2007 and has begun to prepare updated plans.

Continue to recruit Kitt Peak members by adding at least 100 new members this year

STATUS: Approximately 63 members added in the past 12 months. Further marketing and special events are planned for FY08.

Prepare a plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kitt Peak National Observatory in 2008

STATUS: Planning continued at a medium level (including a special newspaper insert targeted for late September 2008 to be printed by the Arizona Daily Star), but was limited by continuing uncertainty about the support of the Tohono O’odham Nation given the status of VERITAS and a change in tribal leadership.

5 LONG-RANGE PLAN (FY08–FY12)

The building of a robust system of ground-based O/IR capabilities is the primary goal of the NOAO program over the next five years. A number of internal projects and external opportunities will make this possible. It is appealing to divide the efforts among small and mid-sized telescopes, large telescopes, and future, national initiatives, but it is important to remember that there are scientific and programmatic relationships among these.

Over the next five years, both KPNO and CTIO will recover the fraction of observing time sold through operations partnerships as these agreements expire in 2009. The observatories will modernize their infrastructure in order to provide reliable support for observers, robust platforms for instrument builders, and desirable locations for existing and prospective tenants. The support of observers on NOAO telescopes will become a priority, and adequate resources will be devoted to this activity.

The upgrade of instrumentation for the 4-meter-class telescopes at KPNO and CTIO has already begun. NEWFIRM is in its initial science run; ODI and DECam will be deployed in the 2009–2010 timeframe. Planning for new capabilities will shortly turn to spectroscopy. High-performance optical and IR spectrographs are promising options for the Mayall and Blanco telescopes. The Kitt Peak 2.1-m telescope may figure prominently in an effort to initiate the development of resources for time domain studies, leading to participation in an emerging global network. A new 2-m telescope to be part of the Las Cumbres Observatory network has been proposed for CTIO.

Also in this five year period, access will be increased via agreements with non-federal observatories. Some of these will require new instruments; some will require enhanced operations support. It remains to be seen whether these can be integrated into an effective and efficient national system. In any case, they are sensible stopgaps while new capabilities are being developed. In the Southern Hemisphere, the options are more limited, and the construction of new facilities, most likely as partnerships with universities or foreign partners, may be the only route to acquire more access.

The evolution of the large telescope part of the U.S. system is more constrained, because the availability of time on non-federal facilities is more restricted and the cost of building new facilities is prohibitive. Progress in this area will come from a restructuring of U.S. participation in Gemini when the international agreement that defines the operation of its partnership expires in 2012. The imminent departure of the U.K. from the Gemini partnership indicates that this opportunity will be significant. In addition, TSIP, the NSF-funded program that provides community access to non-federal telescopes, has the potential to generate significantly more nights by emphasizing community strategic goals to a greater extent.

The two major ground-based O/IR initiatives from the last decadal survey are poised to deliver the promised capabilities to the U.S. community. LSST should begin construction in 2011, giving NOAO enough time to develop both the supporting facilities that will be needed to exploit its time-domain discoveries and the software infrastructure that will allow the community to do petabyte-scale analysis. NOAO will work with the LSST Corporation to establish an efficient operations model and will participate in the development of an operations proposal that optimizes the use of the total NSF investment on Cerro Pachón and at CTIO. While the path to public participation in GSMT is not yet completely clear, an aggressive effort to connect the two private U.S. projects with the broad community as well as the continuation of discussions with ESO will set the stage for significant community access.

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One aspect that connects these pieces of the U.S. system is a national observatory that can be seen to add value to the community’s use of all the facilities. The NOAO System Instrumentation Program and the Data Products Program, now focused on supporting effective community use of the whole system, will have to find new ways to work, with a stronger emphasis on partnerships with groups that can provide pieces of the new infrastructure. For System Instrumentation, that means finding key areas of specialization that will make NOAO a desirable partner. For Data Products it means working with other observatories to help them archive and analyze data.

Many of these efforts will require community support, participation, and guidance. Critical to achieving that will be a renewed effort to engage the community in new ways. The NOAO PAEO program will play a key role in providing visibility to a new NOAO. Major Milestones for the period FY08-FY12:

Develop a robust, integrated system of facilities, which provide an increase of at least the equivalent of 1.0 additional 4-meter-class telescope and 0.5 additional 8-meter-class telescope. New, high-performance instruments throughout the system will ensure a reasonable level of oversubscription at all levels.

Begin the development of a global network for time-domain research. This may well be carried out in partnership with existing, private efforts. Capabilities will not only include modern instrumentation, but will also allow a number of different operations and observing modes needed for effective observations of this type.

Move LSST into the construction phase, with ongoing NOAO efforts to keep the community involved in this project and ready to best use the data from it.

Develop a strong public-private partnership around the two U.S. GSMT projects and actively work to engage the community in them.

Invent innovative ways to inform the community about NOAO’s program and to solicit input on various strategic and tactical issues.

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

4CES — 4-Meter Cryogenic Echelle Spectrograph AAAC — Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee AAS — American Astronomical Society ADA — Americans with Disabilities Act ALMA — Atacama Large Millimeter Array AMNH — American Museum of Natural History AO — Adaptive optics AODP — Adaptive Optics Development Program AOSS — AURA Observatory Support Services ARBSE — Astronomy Research Based Science Education AST — Astronomy Division ATI — Advanced Technologies & Instrumentation ATST — Advanced Technology Solar Telescope AURA — Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy AURA-O — AURA Observatory in Chile CAA — Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics CADIAS — Centro de Apoyo a la Didáctica de la Astronomía CAS — Central Administrative Services (NOAO) CATCH — Community Access Telescope Clearing House (NOAO) CCD — Charge-coupled device CD-ROM — Compact Disc-read only memory CFD — Computational fluid dynamics CFO — Central Facilities Operations (NOAO) ChaMPlane — Chandra Multi-wavelength Plane Survey CIS — Computer Infrastructure Support CoDR — Conceptual Design Review COI — Conflict of Interest CONAMA — Comisión Nacionál de Medio Ambiente CTIO — Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory D&D — Design and Development DCI — Data Capture Initiative DECam — Dark Energy Camera DHS — Data Handling System DIMM — Differential Image Motion Monitor

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DOE — Department of Energy DPP — Data Products Program (NOAO) DRM — Design Reference Mission E2E — End-to-End ELT — Extremely Large Telescope EPO — Education and Public Outreach ESO — European Southern Observatory ETC — Explosive Transient Camera ETS — Engineering and Technical Services (NOAO) F&A — Facilities & Administration FEA — Finite Element Analysis FEPS — Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems FFRDC — Federally-Funded Research and Development Center FHiRE — Fiber High Resolution Echelle FITS — Flexible Image Transport System FTE — Full-Time Equivalent G&A — General & Administrative GEMS — Great Explorations in Math and Science GMT — Giant Magellan Telescope GONG — Global Oscillation Network Group GSMT — Giant Segmented-Mirror Telescope GSMTPO — Giant Segmented-Mirror Telescope Program Office GWFMOS — Gemini Wide Focus Multi-Object Spectrograph HET — Hobby-Eberly Telescope HOO — Hands-On Optics (NOAO) HR — Human Resources HST — Hubble Space Telescope HVAC — Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning IAU — International Astronomical Union IMACS — Inamori Magellan Areal Camera and Spectrograph IR — Infrared IRAF — Image Reduction and Analysis Facility IRMOS — Infrared Multi-Object Spectrometer ISPI — Infrared Side Port Imager (NOAO) JWST — James Webb Space Telescope KPNO — Kitt Peak National Observatory

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

KPVC — Kitt Peak Visitor Center LAPLACE — Life and Planets Astrobiology Center LBT — Large Binocular Telescope LCO — Las Campanas Observatory LGS — Laser Guide Star LLNL — Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory LPL — Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (U. Arizona) LSST — Large Synoptic Survey Telescope LSSTC — Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Corporation MCAO — Multi-conjugate Adaptive Optics MESA — Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement MIP — Major Instrumentation Program (NOAO) MIRES — Mid-IR Echelle Spectrograph MMIRS — MMT and Magellan Infrared Spectrograph MMT — Multiple Mirror Telescope MODS1 — Multi-Object Double Spectrograph (copy 1 for LBT)) MODS2 — Multi-Object Double Spectrograph (copy 2 by Ohio State) MOSFIRE — Multi-Object Spectrograph for InfraRed Exploration MREFC — Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (NSF) NCSA — National Center for Supercomputing Applications NEWFIRM — NOAO Extremely Wide Field Infrared Imager NGSC — NOAO Gemini Science Center NICI — Near-Infrared Coronagraphic Imager NIO — New Initiatives Office (AURA) NOAO — National Optical Astronomy Observatory NOP — Nightly Observing Program (NOAO) NSA — NOAO Science Archive NSF — National Science Foundation NSO — National Solar Observatory NSTA — National Science Teachers Association NVO — National Virtual Observatory O/IR — Optical/Infrared OCIW — Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington ODI — One-Degree Imager (WIYN) ORD — Observatory Requirements Document OTA — Orthogonal Transfer Array

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PAEO — Public Affairs and Educational Outreach (NOAO) PREST — Program for Research and Education with Small Telescopes PROMPT — Panchromatic Robotic Optical Monitoring and Polarimetry Telescopes QUOTA — Quad Orthogonal Transfer Array Camera RBSE — Research Based Science Education ReSTAR — Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research REU — Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF) RTI — Real-Time Innovations, Inc. SAC — Science Advisory Committee SAM — SOAR Adaptive Module SCOPE — Southwestern Consortium of Observatories for Public Education SMARTS — Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System SOAR — Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope SOML — Steward Observatory Mirror Lab SPIE — Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers SPRF — Science Program Research Funds SRD — Science Requirements Documents SWG — Science Working Group TAC — Time Allocation Committee TBD — To be determined TBSR — Total Business Service Review TCS — Telescope Control System TLRBSE — Teacher Leaders in Research Based Science Education TMT — Thirty Meter Telescope TOUA — Tohono O’odham Utility Authority TSIP — Telescope System Instrumentation Program UofA — University of Arizona UPS — Uninterruptible power supply USL — US Land – Public Sector Solution Software UW — University of Washington VO — Virtual Observatory

WBS — Work Breakdown Structures

WFS — Wide-Field Survey Wavefront Sensor WHIRC — WIYN High-resolution Infrared Camera WIYN — Wisconsin-Indiana-Yale-NOAO 3.5-m telescope WTTM — WIYN Tip-Tilt Module

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