AIP FYI #21: FY 2004 NSF Request: Astronomical Sciences
The Bush Administration is requesting a FY 2004 increase of 13.5%, or $21.8
million, for the Astronomical Sciences Subactivity budget over the FY 2003
request. This request of $183.1 million is10.3% higher than the
foundation’s FY 2002 budget. As previously explained, the FY 2003
appropriations bill for the National Science Foundation has not been
enacted.
Selections from the budget justification document sent to Congress follow:
“The FY 2004 Request includes $77.24 million for research and
instrumentation support in the Astronomical Sciences that will advance
research in cosmology and the origin and evolution of the universe, the
formation of stars and planets, and particle astrophysics. A number of these
activities involve interagency partnerships. A new focus on providing
support for mid-scale instrumentation needs will address community
priorities such as the development of adaptive optics systems for telescopes
and the availability of modern, instrumented small aperture telescopes for
programs of student training, research, and educational/public outreach.
Support will also be provided for research and development that may lead to
highly recommended new facilities such as the Giant Segmented Mirror
Telescope (GSMT) and Large-Aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).
Through the Information Technology Research priority area, support will be
provided for research and applications in databases, data mining, and
high-speed computation. The Science and Technology Center (STC) for Adaptive
Optics will be funded within AST in FY 2004.”
Regarding national facilities, the budget document states: “FY 2004 support
for national facilities totals $105.83 million, an increase of $8.90
million, and includes:
“Support for Gemini Observatory at a level of $14.20 million, an increase
of $1.60 million. Both the northern and southern Gemini telescopes are now
in regular science operations. The Gemini Observatory, an international
partnership with six other countries, and the premier optical/infrared
facility available to the entire U.S. astronomical community, remains the
highest priority among our optical and infrared facilities. Included in this
amount is $1.0 million for partial return of the Chilean construction
capital, with which the U.S. assumes a portion of the Chilean share of the
Observatory, gaining increased observing access for U.S. astronomers.
“NAIC will be supported at the level of $10.30 million, an increase of
$1.30 million. This level of support will enable continued operation and
maintenance of the renovated Arecibo telescope and the development of
instrumentation to take advantage of its greater sensitivity. Additional
support of $1.80 million is provided through the Geosciences Activity.
“Support for NOAO/NSO at the level of $38.60 million, an increase of $2.90
million. NOAO provides optical/infrared observational facilities to the U.S.
astronomical community in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and
operates the U.S. Gemini Science Center, which provides support for U.S.
astronomers to use the Gemini Observatory. NOAO is leading the community
effort to establish a detailed scientific justification and conceptual
design for the Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT) and the
Large-Aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), both of which were highly
recommended future facilities in recent community reports. NSO facilities
provide solar telescopes for use by the U.S. astronomical community.
Activities in FY 2004 include continued design and planning for the Advanced
Technology Solar Telescope (ATST), an instrument that will use new
techniques such as adaptive optics to provide a unique capability for
investigating a wide range of important questions in solar physics. ATST
will be of significant value to studies in atmospheric sciences and space
weather in addition to astronomical research. Included also within this
amount is $4.0 million for the Telescope System Instrumentation Program
(TSIP), which is administered for the community through NOAO. TSIP, which
began in FY 2002, is a program to unify the privately held and the national
optical and IR observatory facilities through a program of support for
instrument development and facility improvement in exchange for public
access to private facilities.
“NRAO is supported at the level of $42.73 million, an increase of $3.10
million. This level of support will provide for operations, maintenance, and
instrumentation for the unique telescopes of NRAO, such as the Robert C.
Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the Very Large Array (VLA), and the Very Long
Baseline Array. Activities in FY 2004 include making continued improvements
and enhancements to the expanded VLA and optimization of science operations
of the Byrd Telescope.”
For additional information on NSF’s Astronomical Sciences FY 2004 budget
request, see http//:www.nsf.gov/bfa/bud/fy2004/toc.htm .
Richard M. Jones
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi@aip.org
(301) 209-3094
