Ground-based Facilities Review Panel

Terms of Reference

During 2007/08, the STFC Programmatic Review prioritised the STFC support for operational optical-IR and radio astronomy facilities, examining the current status of each, and assessing their outputs against STFC science and strategic goals. Building on the output of that process, a longer term ‘cross-facility’ review is now required, with the aims of:

1. establishing the key UK science aims of STFC’s GB astronomy community, in collaboration with NUAP and FUAP
   
   
2. setting a strategic framework for future investment decisions (for example in new instrumentation projects) for our facilities based on those science aims
   
   
3. guiding STFC strategy with regard to membership of international organisations and telescope facilities, and major projects

Membership and scope

The review will be conducted by an expert panel of UK astronomers. Close cooperation and cross-membership will be required with the new PPAN Advisory Panels augmented by additional (and where appropriate, international) expertise.

The review will examine all STFC-operated optical, infra-red, sub-mm and radio telescope facilities and international facilities in which the UK is a member. It will also consider, as required, other facilities (private and public) to which UK groups have access, for relevance to the STFC mission.

The Panel will need to consider the emerging STFC Science Strategy and the recently-published ASTRONET Roadmap in establishing the wider scientific context for STFC investment.

The key aims of the review are:-

1. To identify the key science goals for ground-based astronomy at wavelengths ranging from the optical to radio in the next 10 years, in collaboration with NUAP and FUAP, taking into account science capabilities available from existing and planned space facilities, and map these to STFC and government science priorities
   
   
2. To use these science goals to provide recommendations on the UK requirements and future strategy for:
   
   1. Involvement in the ongoing European and global development of Extremely Large Telescopes
   2. Large (8-10m) class telescopes and associated instrumentation, including those for the subscription organisations of ESO and Gemini
   3. Medium (~4m) class telescopes and associated instrumentation, e.g., UKIRT, WHT
   4. ALMA
   5. JCMT
   6. A coherent scientific and technological pathway to the SKA
   7. E-Merlin
   8. Other facilities in which STFC or UK groups relevant to STFC, have involvement
   
   
   
3. To identify any gaps in facility or instrumentation capability and recommend appropriate strategies
   
   
4. To provide recommendations on corresponding technology requirements and priorities
   
   
5. To consider whether the UK's suite of ground-based facilities matches the needs of the UK space astronomy programme.

The Panel will report in the first instance to the Near- and Far-Universe Advisory Panels prior to reporting to PPAN and then Science Board in autumn 2009.