Campuses:
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| meetingsandtelecons:april10.08 [2008/04/09 21:47] – created 71.195.59.133 | meetingsandtelecons:april10.08 [2008/04/09 21:55] (current) – 71.195.59.133 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| - | ==== Discussion Topics for Telecon of April 3, 2008 ==== | + | ==== Discussion Topics for Telecon of April 10, 2008 ==== |
| - | * Update on decadal panel | + | * Release of Epic Report |
| - | * Preparations for a future possible midex (Al Kogut) | + | * Discussion of Strategy |
| - | * Strategy | + | |
| - | === Update on Decadal Panel === | + | === Draft Strategy Statement |
| - | Chuck Bennet explains | + | The polarization of the cosmic microwave background radiation contains a wealth of information about the physics of the early universe, the growth of structures, and properties of the fundamental particles of physics. Much of this information is accessible only through detailed mapping of the CMB polarization. A polarization map of the galaxy at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths also contains information about properties of galactic dust, sources of synchrotron radiation, and magnetic field strength and structure, all of which are of strong interest for the astrophysical community. |
| + | |||
| + | We believe that the most effective way to probe the abundant cosmological and astrophysical information that is encoded in the polarization at these wavelengths is with a dedicated satellite. A CMB Polarization satellite would provide a full sky map of the CMB polarization, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Primordial Polarization Program Definition Team and the scientists signed below endorse a program of technology development and sub-orbital experiments that will lead to a CMB Polarization satellite as soon as feasible. We urge NASA and other agencies to fund this program to its fullest. | ||
| - | * The Space Studies Board (SSB) and the Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA) guided the process that produced the internal proposal to initiate a decadal | ||
| - | * The end result was the NRC proposal to NSF, NASA, and DOE. | ||
| - | * The agencies then weigh in on whether the scope and broad outlines of the Decadal Survey is acceptable to them. There is a lot of back and forth at this stage. | ||
| - | * The National Research Council (NRC) will internally nominate people to serve on the Decadal Panel. | ||
| - | * Once the NRC convinces itself that it has a reasonably conflict-free panel that "looks like America" | ||
| === Strategy for Decadal Panel: Recap === | === Strategy for Decadal Panel: Recap === | ||
| Line 19: | Line 17: | ||
| Two approaches that bracket the range of possibilities. | Two approaches that bracket the range of possibilities. | ||
| - | (a) While B-mode science is compelling, no case can be made for a satellite any time soon. | + | (a) While B-mode science is compelling, no case can be made for a satellite any time soon and perhaps never. |
| (b) A strong case for a satellite can and should be made to the decadal panel even as of today because the science return, even with a null detection, is compelling. Not only a satellite is justified, it is critical to the health of our field. | (b) A strong case for a satellite can and should be made to the decadal panel even as of today because the science return, even with a null detection, is compelling. Not only a satellite is justified, it is critical to the health of our field. | ||