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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
116
5
NSF Program Implementation
In this chapter the survey committee discusses its recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the context of the committee’s recommended program in solar and space physics. Where
appropriate, the chapter also addresses connections to the 2010 astronomy and astrophysics decadal
survey, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1 which also made recommendations
concerning NSF ground-based solar physics facilities and programs. Cost implications are considered, but
because the recommendations to NSF are not fit to a specific budget, the committee does not prioritize
its recommendations.
GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS
The committee’s baseline priority for NSF is to support existing ground-based facilities and to complete
programs in advanced stages of implementation. These programs are described in Chapter 1 and illustrated
in Figure 1.2 (the Heliophysics Systems Observatory). The global nature of solar and space physics is such
that it requires a synergistic complement of space- and ground-based observational approaches, which both
support and are supported by theory and modeling. Ground-based observations are also increasingly used
in near-real-time data-driven models of the heliosphere and space weather. Synoptic and long-term measurements from ground-based instruments are essential for capturing the complex dynamics of geospace
and observing long-term trends. Ongoing ground-based observations of the Sun likewise facilitate studies
of long-term variations, as well as revealing solar features with the finest spatial resolution and presenting
unique views of solar eruptions.
Maintaining ground-based observatories also requires that NSF maintain and develop, as necessary,
systems for accessing, archiving, and mining synoptic and long-term data sets (see Appendix B and Box 4.1).
Furthermore, in DRIVE “Integrate,” the committee describes the importance of expanding and formalizing
the ground-based program’s contribution to the success of NASA Explorer- and strategic-class science so
1 National Research Council, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
116
5
NSF Program Implementation
In this chapter the survey committee discusses its recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the context of the committee’s recommended program in solar and space physics. Where
appropriate, the chapter also addresses connections to the 2010 astronomy and astrophysics decadal
survey, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1 which also made recommendations
concerning NSF ground-based solar physics facilities and programs. Cost implications are considered, but
because the recommendations to NSF are not fit to a specific budget, the committee does not prioritize
its recommendations.
GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS
The committee’s baseline priority for NSF is to support existing ground-based facilities and to complete
programs in advanced stages of implementation. These programs are described in Chapter 1 and illustrated
in Figure 1.2 (the Heliophysics Systems Observatory). The global nature of solar and space physics is such
that it requires a synergistic complement of space- and ground-based observational approaches, which both
support and are supported by theory and modeling. Ground-based observations are also increasingly used
in near-real-time data-driven models of the heliosphere and space weather. Synoptic and long-term measurements from ground-based instruments are essential for capturing the complex dynamics of geospace
and observing long-term trends. Ongoing ground-based observations of the Sun likewise facilitate studies
of long-term variations, as well as revealing solar features with the finest spatial resolution and presenting
unique views of solar eruptions.
Maintaining ground-based observatories also requires that NSF maintain and develop, as necessary,
systems for accessing, archiving, and mining synoptic and long-term data sets (see Appendix B and Box 4.1).
Furthermore, in DRIVE “Integrate,” the committee describes the importance of expanding and formalizing
the ground-based program’s contribution to the success of NASA Explorer- and strategic-class science so
1 National Research Council, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.