[mmaimcal] An Announcement from Fred Lo: NRAO Statement to Staff on the NSF AST Senior Review Report

[Al Wootten]

Folks

As you may know, the NSF presented the results of the Senior Review to the
NSF Math and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee this morning.
I thought there might be enough interest in the comments on NRAO and on
ALMA to circulate it.  Apologies if you receive more than a single copy.  

Clear skies,
Al
Al Wootten
Interim Project Scientist
ALMA, 40 El Golf, Piso 18
Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
Tel: (56) (2) 467-6128  FAX: (56) (2) 467-6103

Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 09:23:31 -0500

ANNOUNCEMENT

NRAO Statement to Staff on the NSF AST Senior Review Report

Owing to the major budgetary and programmatic challenges that the
astronomical community faces, the National Science Foundation Division
of Astronomical Sciences (NSF-AST) initiated a Senior Review in April
2005.  The Senior Review committee was charged with examining the impact
and the gains that would result by redistributing ~$30M of annual
spending from NSF-AST Division funds, or 25% of the annual costs of
operating astronomical facilities which include NRAO, NOAO, Gemini, NSO,
and NAIC.  The redistribution would occur through selective reductions
in the operations of existing facilities and development programs, and
would be used to enhance the highest priority components of existing
facilities, to begin to cover ALMA operations costs, and to support the
implementation of Decadal Survey recommendations for new facilities and
programs.  The NRAO administration spent considerable effort providing
information to the committee about our operations.

The NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences Senior Review committee has
released its long-awaited report on the nation's ground-based astronomy
program (http://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/seniorreview/sr-report.pdf).  The
committee had a difficult task, and we thank them for their efforts.

The Senior Review report is quite supportive of NRAO telescopes and
visitor centers, noting the NRAO's excellent management of its
world-class observatories, recommending that radio astronomy leadership
remain centered at the NRAO, and praising the scientific capabilities of
ALMA, EVLA, GBT, and VLBA.  Nonetheless, the report also recommends that
some reductions and changes occur at the NRAO by 2011.  Specifically,
the report recommends that: (a) VLBA operations make a transition to a
significant reliance on international funding or risk closure; (b) GBT
operations cost be reduced; and (c) NRAO scientific staff cost be
reduced.

The Senior Review report emphasizes that the VLBA is the premier
scientific instrument for VLBI and is poised to produce its strongest
scientific contributions.  The report notes that the angular resolution
of the VLBA is not likely to be superseded even by the Square Kilometre
Array and thus provides a unique capability.  The NRAO believes that
opportunities exist for external contributions to the operations of the
VLBA and is already making concerted efforts to secure these
contributions.  At the same time, the NRAO is actively organizing key
and legacy scientific projects for the VLBA, which will optimize its
scientific impact.  We are also developing plans for improvement of both
continuum and spectral line sensitivity of the VLBA. 

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope is identified by the Senior
Review as a part of the base program in U.S. astronomy, a "new and
highly promising telescope" that has already made significant scientific
discoveries.  The NRAO regards Green Bank operations as efficient at
present, and would welcome an independent cost analysis by specialists
in telescope operations and business administration.  In the meantime,
we will redouble efforts to explore alternative modes of operation while
continuing to enhance scientific capabilities.

A robust scientific staff is crucial to the leadership of the
Observatory in present operations, scientific output, and future
developments.  The senior scientific staff also serves in key management
and operations roles.  As the NRAO expands its user base to include
observers from other branches of astronomy, the support provided by a
core scientific staff will be even more important.  To meet these needs
in the most cost-effective manner, the NRAO will continue to examine the
makeup and deployment of the scientific staff.  We have already made a
number of significant changes in this area. 

The NRAO will continue to carry out its mission vigorously, enabling
cutting-edge research in the study of the Universe using radio astronomy
techniques, attracting and training future scientists and engineers, and
stimulating public interest in science.  In the coming months, the NRAO
will also work closely with the NSF as it considers the Senior Review
recommendations.  The report calls for a further round of individual
management reviews at each of the five observatories addressed by the
Senior Review.  The NRAO feels very confident that it will fare well in
a detailed review of its management and operations practices.  The
horizon for possible significant changes is 2011; we do not anticipate
that any major changes will happen immediately.

The future of the NRAO is extremely bright.  ALMA and EVLA construction
is proceeding very well, and these instruments will be truly
transformational.  The GBT is routinely producing outstanding science,
has demonstrated its capabilities at high frequencies, and has
considerable additional potential.  The VLBA's scientific focus includes
some of astronomy's most important questions, and we are enhancing its
sensitivity for greater scientific impact.  Finally, the expertise of
the NRAO staff and telescope facilities constitute a core competency of
radio astronomy in the U.S.  With ALMA, the EVLA, the GBT, and the VLBA,
the NRAO will continue to be a flagship observatory for the astronomy
community in the U.S. and in the world.

Fred Lo
Director

November 3, 2006