[asac] Minutes; January Meeting

[Al Wootten]

Dear ASAC Member:

Happy New Year!

I append Peter's minutes of last month's meeting.  Please send any corrections
or additions to me.  The agenda for next Wednesday's meeting is under
construction.  The next ASAC teleconference will take place on Wednesday 16 
January at 14:30 UT.  In particular, we should discuss the next face-to-face
meeting. 

Clear skies,
Al


ALMA Science Advisory Committee

Teleconference, 5 December 2001

Draft Minutes

Participants: R. Bachiller, G. Blake, L. Bronfman, P. Cox, R. Crutcher,
N. Evans, S. Guilloteau, M. Ishiguro, R. Kawabe, J. Mangum, M. Rafal, J.
Richer, S. Sakamoto, P. Schilke, P. Shaver, K. Tatematsu, E. van
Dishoeck, M. Walmsley, C. Wilson, A. Wootten, M. Yun

The proposed agenda was adopted, and the minutes of the previous meeting
were accepted.

1. Results of AEC Meeting

M. Rafal summarized the recent AEC meeting in Grenoble. A formal
document from the AEC is due to the ACC by 1 February, taking into
account budget constraints. He said that the scope remains essentially
that of the bilateral project, as given in the Project Book. J. Richer
asked whether ASAC input will be required, and M. Rafal replied that the
AEC will approach the ASAC if required.

2. Status of  ASAC Charter

It was noted that the ASAC charter is on the ACC agenda for its
teleconference of 11 December. A. Wootten asked whether there are any
changes to be suggested by the ASAC. Various possible issues were
raised, including the frequency of meetings, the size of the ASAC, the
possibility of rotation, and the status of Japanese representation, but
on all issues it was agreed to leave the charter at present as it is,
and wait to see the ACC reactions.

3. U.S. Funding Status

A. Wootten mentioned that the various necessary milestones for U.S.
funding of the construction phase (including acceptance by the
President) have been passed successfully.

4. Next ASAC Face-to-Face Meeting

The next face-to-face meeting will take place on 19-21 March. A. Wootten
will contact Y. Fukui about plans.

5. Configuration Plans

A. Wootten reported that a group is presently at Chajnantor looking at
the site with different configuration plans. Next week a group of
engineers will assess the feasibility of these plans. A Design Review will take
place in Socorro on 24-25 January.

6. AOB

P. Shaver reported the good news that UK entry into ESO has now been
formally agreed, to go into effect on 1 July 2002. S. Guilloteau said
that news about the European prototype antenna would soon be available.
M. Ishiguro said that there was no news on the Japanese 12-m prototype
antenna.

7. Next teleconference

The next ASAC teleconference will take place on Wednesday 16 January at
14:30 UT.