• PPPDT + Mission Concept Study Dear Colleague Letter
• Change of name
• Brief Update

1. future theory telecons
2. Aspen talk
3. Dates of Workshops in the summer + work of Concept Study Team (Steve if available)

Dear Colleague,

NASA formed the Primordial Polarization Program Definition Team (PPPDT) to help in the development of and science planning for a future cosmic microwave background polarization satellite (http://groups.physics.umn.edu/cosmology/PPPDT/charter.html). In one of its first actions, the PPPDT organized the CMB community behind a single, unified response to NASA’s solicitation for Strategic Mission Concept Studies. As you may know, Steve Meyer is leading this effort together with a group of Co-Is. This letter refers to that group as the Concept Study Team.

There has been some confusion recently about the roles and functions of these two bodies, the PPPDT and the Concept Study Team. This letter intends to clarify the situation.

The PPPDT was formed by NASA to represent the interests of the CMB community over the long term. The Concept Study Team was formed in response to a specific NASA grant solicitation. The duration of this grant is one year. The PPPDT will continue to represent the CMB community after the work of the Concept Study Team is completed.

The Concept Study Team, if the proposal is successful, will work over the next year studying theory, technology, systematics, foregrounds and other topics of interest for a CMBPol mission. During this period, the PPPDT’s role is to complement this effort by providing guidance and feedback, by ensuring communication between the Concept Study Team and the rest of the CMB community, and most importantly by interfacing with the broader astrophysics and physics communities as an advocate for CMBPol.

To achieve these goals the PPPDT will continue the series of theory telecons that was initiated in the end of 2007 and it will represent the CMB community during the deliberations of the decadal panels. The PPPDT is planning to coordinate presentations of CMB polarization science and results in colloquia and seminars around the country. We look forward to hearing from you about other steps we should take to promote a future CMBPol mission. Please write to hanany@physics.umn.edu or to any other member of the committee.

Best regards,

The PPPDT