Decadal Plan Working Group Terms of Reference
By considering how best to
position
1. provides a stocktake of
current or future proposed capabilities/resources in the area
2. identifies any new national or international
opportunities/requirements in the area over the period 2006-15
3. suggests strategies and the resourcing levels
required to maximise these new opportunities.
The WG should submit their
report to the NCA, through the Chair, no later than
The WG is encouraged to
consult widely, through whatever means appropriate, with all key stake holders
(both national and international) in developing their report.
"The WG is asked to
submit to the Chair of the National Committee for Astronomy, by
Decadal Plan Working Group Context
The final reports provided
by the Working Groups will provide the basis for the Australian Astronomy Decadal
Plan for 2006-15, to be drafted by an Editorial Board. It is currently
envisaged that the Editorial Board will draft the Plan in the context of the
Big Questions in astronomy over the next ten years e.g.
1. What is the nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy and
how do they shape the structure of the Universe and individual galaxies?
2. When and how did the first luminous objects form in
the Universe and how did they effect their environments?
3. What is the frequency
and nature of planetary systems in the Galaxy, and what drives their diversity
and habitability?
4. How are elements processed through stars and galaxies
to produce the cosmic chemical environment in which we live?
5. Do the same physical constants and physical laws
apply throughout the Universe, regardless of age, temperature, density and
gravity?
Where appropriate, WGs may
wish to frame their reports addressing these and any other "Big
Questions" they may wish to identify.
Decadal Plan Working Group Guidelines
The ToR are intended to
enable the WGs to approach their task from a number of different directions.
The WGs may wish to look at the issues in their area from a variety
perspectives e.g. current resources vs future needs, existing capability
mapping, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis.
Inevitably, there will be
overlaps between different WGs. WGs should (i) check with other groups
regarding potential overlaps, and (ii) tend to be inclusive and cover anything
they think is relevant to their topic even if it is being covered by another
working group.
WGs should focus on
producing strong arguments, meaningful statistics, telling examples and
comprehensive lists. The report should include as many useful tables and
figures as possible. WGs should generate the valuable content for the Decadal
Plan, emphasising substance over style, quantitative arguments over
qualitative, and let the Editorial Board structure and polish the material.
BJB:14/09/2004