NSF/AST Program NSF/AST Program and Budget and Budget

UpdateUpdate

AAACAAAC

May 11, 2012May 11, 2012

Jim UlvestadJim Ulvestad

Division Director, MPS/ASTDivision Director, MPS/AST

ALMAALMA Early science started Early science started

on 30 September 2011on 30 September 2011 112 projects selected 112 projects selected

from over 900 Cycle 0 from over 900 Cycle 0 proposalsproposals

First paper publishedFirst paper published 61/66 antennas now in 61/66 antennas now in

Chile; 39 acceptedChile; 39 accepted Final North American Final North American

deliverables on course deliverables on course for late 2012 for late 2012 completioncompletion

Inauguration in 2013Inauguration in 20135/11/2012 NSF-AST-AAAC 2

Fomalhaut

Boley et al. 2012

0.9 mm

Dark Energy Dark Energy SurveySurvey Probe dark energy using 4 methodsProbe dark energy using 4 methods

Photo-z, shapes for 300 million Photo-z, shapes for 300 million galaxiesgalaxies

4000 SNe 1A to z ~ 14000 SNe 1A to z ~ 1 570 megapixel optical/NIR camera 570 megapixel optical/NIR camera

with 3 sq. deg. FOV and 5-element with 3 sq. deg. FOV and 5-element optical corrector, to be mounted on optical corrector, to be mounted on CTIO Blanco 4m telescopeCTIO Blanco 4m telescope

DECam from Fermilab/DOE, data DECam from Fermilab/DOE, data management and CTIO ops from management and CTIO ops from NSF and NOAONSF and NOAO

First light in Sept 2012First light in Sept 2012 5-yr survey commences Nov. 20125-yr survey commences Nov. 2012

5/11/2012 NSF-AST-AAAC 3

Other Facility NewsOther Facility News Jansky VLA re-dedicated March 31Jansky VLA re-dedicated March 31 New Directors coming soon at New Directors coming soon at

NRAO and GeminiNRAO and Gemini ATST still awaiting resolution of ATST still awaiting resolution of

appeal of construction permitappeal of construction permit LSST start in FY14 still possible LSST start in FY14 still possible

(see later talk)(see later talk)

5/11/2012 NSF-AST-AAAC 4

FY12 Budget NotesFY12 Budget Notes Research grants (AAG) cut from $49M Research grants (AAG) cut from $49M

to $43Mto $43M NOAO cut from $27.5M to $26MNOAO cut from $27.5M to $26M Gemini increased $1.5MGemini increased $1.5M ALMA operations ramp reducedALMA operations ramp reduced University Radio Observatories cut University Radio Observatories cut

significantlysignificantly

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FY13 Budget OutlookFY13 Budget Outlook FY13 AST budget requestFY13 AST budget request

Significant reductions in NRAO, Gemini, NSOSignificant reductions in NRAO, Gemini, NSO NOAO stays at lower levelNOAO stays at lower level Attempt to maintain AAG at FY12 levelAttempt to maintain AAG at FY12 level Dependent on final appropriation and Dependent on final appropriation and

sequestrationsequestration FY13 Senate Appropriations language (FYI FY13 Senate Appropriations language (FYI

#63)#63) Facility reductions restoredFacility reductions restored Dramatic reductions in grants program would be Dramatic reductions in grants program would be

required if language persists in final appropriationrequired if language persists in final appropriation

5/11/2012 NSF-AST-AAAC 6