AIP FYI #68: Strategy for Interdisciplinary Physics & Astronomy Research
“Realizing the extraordinary opportunities at hand will require a
new, crosscutting approach that…brings to bear the techniques
of both astronomy and physics, telescopes and accelerators, and
ground- and space-based instruments. The goal then is to create
a new strategy.” – NRC Committee on the Physics of the Universe
As reported in FYI #67, a new report by the NRC’s Committee on
the Physics of the Universe addresses interdisciplinary research
that could lead to breakthroughs in both physics and astronomy.
FYI #67 listed eleven questions the Committee identified as the
key research opportunities at the intersection of these two
fields. This FYI presents the Committee’s strategy for the
research and interagency coordination necessary to investigate
the eleven questions.
The Committee recognizes that addressing such interdisciplinary
challenges in a comprehensive way will require new approaches and
greater cooperation: “The obstacles are sometimes disciplinary
and sometimes institutional because the science lies at the
interface of two mature disciplines and crosses the boundaries of
three U.S. funding agencies.” The report later adds, “No one
agency currently has unique ownership of the science at the
intersection of astronomy and physics; nor can one agency working
alone mount the effort needed to realize the great opportunities.
DOE, NASA and NSF are all deeply interested in the science at the
intersection of physics and astronomy and eaage@rings unique
expertise to the enterprise. Only by working together can they
take full advantage of the opportunities at this special time.”
The Committee was not asked to address the financial aspects of
its strategy. It does not provide cost estimates for its
research objectives, nor make recommendations for securing
sufficient funding to carry them out. Although it was only
charged with considering the U.S. research agenda, the Committee
notes that “Some of the opportunities we have discussed involve
international partners…. The strategy we have developed for
DOE, NASA, and NSF should help facilitate the participation of
additional partners, be they international, other agencies within
the United States or private foundations.”
Below are the Committee’s seven recommendations for a research
strategy:
- “Measure the polarization of the cosmic microwave background
with the goal of detecting the signature of inflation. The
Committee recommends that NASA, NSF and DOE undertake research
and development to bring the needed experiments to fruition.” - “Determine the properties of the dark energy. The Committee
supports the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope project, which has
significant promise for shedding light on the dark energy. The
Committee further recommends that NASA and DOE work together to
construct a wide-field telescope in space to determine the
expansion history of the universe and fully probe the nature of
the dark energy.” - “Determine the neutrino masses, the constituents of the dark
matter and the lifetime of the proton. The Committee recommends
that DOE and NSF work together to plan for and to fund a new
generation of experiments to achieve these goals. We further
recommend that an underground laboratory with sufficient
infrastructure and depth be built to house and operate the needed
experiments.” - “Use space to probe the basic laws of physics. The Committee
supports the Constellation-X and Laser Interferometer Space
Antenna missions, which have high promise for studying black
holes and for testing Einstein’s theory in new regimes. The
Committee further recommends that the agencies proceed with an
advanced technology program to develop instruments capable of
detecting gravitational waves from the early universe.” - “Determine the origin of the highest energy gamma rays,
neutrinos and cosmic rays. The Committee supports the broad
approach already in place, and recommends that the United States
ensure the timely completion and operation of the Southern Auger
array.” - “Discern the physical principles that govern extreme
astrophysical environments through the laboratory study of high-
energy-density physics. The Committee recommends that the
agencies cooperate in bringing together the different scientific
communities that can foster this rapidly developing field.” - “Realize the scientific opportunities at the intersection of
physics and astronomy. The Committee recommends establishment of
an Interagency Initiative on the Physics of the Universe, with
the participation of DOE, NASA, and NSF. This initiative should
provide structures for joint planning and mechanisms for joint
implementation of cross-agency projects.”
Chapter Six of the report outlines the justification for these
recommendations, and describes the type of instruments,
collaborations and data needed to pursue each objective.
“If a cross-disciplinary, cross-agency approach can be mounted,”
the report says, “the [Committee] believes a great leap can be
made in understanding the universe and the laws that govern it.”
The prepublication version of “From Quarks To the Cosmos: Eleven
Science Questions for the New Century,” which runs approximately
164 pages, can be read online at
http://www.nationalacademies.org/bpa/projects/cpu/report. [NOTE:
FYI #67 referred to the report by an earlier version of the
title, “Connecting Quarks with the Cosmos.”] The hardcopy
version is not yet available from the National Academy Press.
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Audrey T. Leath
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi@aip.org
(301) 209-3094
http://www.aip.org/gov
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