Steve Keil
You are invited to attend a one-day workshop on the Advanced Solar Telescope (AST) from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday, 18 June 2000 at Caesar's Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada, prior to the AAS/SPD meeting and following the SHINE meeting.
A large-aperture, advanced solar telescope is needed to observe and understand the fundamental nature of solar magnetic fields, their interaction with the solar plasma, and their role in solar activity and variability. "Advanced" refers to the fact that the telescope should be optimized for polarimetry and for exploiting the infrared spectrum, and should integrate adaptive optics into its design to ensure high-resolution capabilities. NSO will host the one-day workshop to bring interested members of the solar community together to discuss a plan for developing the AST.
The NAS/NRC panel on Ground-Based Solar Research gave the AST its top priority for a new start in ground-based solar optical physics. The AST was extensively discussed by the solar panel of the Decadal Survey, and the Astronomy Division of the NSF is now very interested in invigorating ground-based solar research through AST development and deployment. The AST is envisioned as a community effort with broad participation from the outset.
During this workshop, we will refine the science requirements for the AST and form the working groups and teams needed to explore technical issues associated with its development. A design phase proposal for the AST will be developed over the next few months. Your participation is encouraged. If unable to attend the meeting, please feel free to send expressions of interest via e-mail or to contact the organizing committee directly.
Sunday, 18 June 2000 09:00 - 09:15 Introduction to the AST (Keil) 09:15 - 09:30 AST Science Drivers and Telescope Requirements (Keller) 09:30 - 09:45 Developing AST Technologies (Rimmele)
09:45 - 10:00 Scattered Light Issues, Coronagraphy 10:00 - 10:30 Telescope Concepts & Design Issues 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:45 - 12:00 Telescope Concepts & Design Issues 12:00 - 13:30 Lunch 13:30 - 14:00 Site Testing 14:00 - 16:00 Strategies
16:30 - 17:00 Summary
For more information, and to be included on the lunch reservation list, send e-mail to: nso@noao.edu |
AST Workshop Organizing Committee: Steve Keil, Tom Ayres (CASA), Phil Goode (NJIT), Christoph Keller, Michael Knoelker (HAO), Jeff Kuhn (Hawaii), Thomas Rimmele, Bob Rosner (Chicago), Jack Thomas (Rochester), and Alan Title (Lockheed).