ATUC Meeting Agenda
5th-6th November 2002
Lecture Theatre, ATNF Headquarters, Marsfield
(Teleconference: x4612 Tue/Wed)
Open Session: Tuesday 5th of November
| Session Begins 10:00 | ||
| Welcome & Introduction | Carole Jackson | 10min |
| Observatory Reports | ||
| Compact Array Mopra | Bob Sault | 30min |
| Parkes | John Reynolds | 25min |
| VLBI Facility | Tasso Tzioumis | 5min |
| Tea Break, 11:10 – 11:25 | ||
| Citation of ATNF publications | Jessica Chapman | 10min |
| Length of observing terms at ATNF observatories | Jessica Chapman | 10min |
| Future Development Plans | Warwick Wilson | 20min |
| Director’s Report | Ron Ekers | 30min |
| Lunch Break, 12:45 – 13:30 | ||
| —- Australian SKA – MNRF2 and Beyond —- Joint Session with Australian SKA Committee | ||
| Introduction | Elaine Sadler | 5min |
| Update on the international scene | ||
| ISSC plans, SKA status | Ron Ekers | 20min |
| LOFAR plans and timelines | Michelle Storey | 10min |
| Whitepapers Replace Blank Sheets: International and Australian SKA Directions | Peter Hall | 30min |
| MNRF2 Plans | ||
| ATNF SKA demonstrator options | Ron Ekers | 15min |
| The SKAMP Project – an update and future plans | Anne Green | 15min |
| Tea Break, 15:15 – 15:30 | ||
| MNRF2 Plans (cont) | ||
| New signal processing & correlator technologies | John Bunton | 15min |
| Technological options for Australian SKA demonstrator projects (photonics) | Ron Beresford | 15min |
| Science with the SKA | ||
| A low frequency SKA for high redshift science | Frank Briggs | 20min |
| The future of radio astronomy: A baseband recorder with an in-built supercomputer | Matthew Bailes | 20min |
| Brief discussion & wrap up | Carole Jackson Peter Hall Elaine Sadler | 15min |
Session Ends 17:15
Business Session: Wednesday 6th of November
starting at 9:30am – ATNF, Lecture Theatre
PRELIMINARY ITEMS
- Apologies
- Matters Arising from Director’s Response
- Additional agenda Items
NEW BUSINESS
- Review of usefulness of Future Developments document.
- Does ATUC consider the safety training procedures at the observatories are adequate?
- Does ATUC consider that it would be a useful improvement in feedback on observing proposals if each of the TAC members gave a brief comment (or a numerical score) on each observing proposal that they review, to be included with the letter advising on the outcome of the application?
- What are ATUC’s recommendations regarding the future of mm/cm swap programs?
- Does ATUC consider that the ATNF should aim to increase collaborations and joint publications with other CSIRO Divisions?
- Does ATUC consider it preferable for the ATNF to change to 6-month observing terms, or to remain with the current 4-month observing terms?
- Should ATUC request a review of the documentation provided to Duty Astronomers at Narrabri?
- Does ATUC support holding a Synthesis Imaging workshop in May 2003, aimed at 3-mm synthesis imaging observations?
- Does ATUC support the opening up of remote observing to experienced overseas observers, as long as equal amount of DA duty is completed ?
- The HI Multibeam instrument will require repairs and upgrade work within the next year. This will entail about 6 weeks of downtime for the instrument. Can ATUC suggest an optimal time for this work to be undertaken?
- The cost of paper journal subscriptions for the observatory libraries is substantial, and in most cases the same material is available electronically. Does ATUC have any recommendations as to which paper subscriptions should be maintained?
- Is ATUC concerned about the level of VLBI facility support, in view of recent staff changes?
- Can ATUC offer any ideas how to increase the impact of ATNF science and citation rates ?
- In 2003, the ATCA 3-mm system will be the same as 2002 season. Can ATUC offer suggestions on how to best exploit the pre-ALMA window ?
- Does ATUC see a conflict between ATNF external projects vs internal National Facility upgrades ?
- At the direction of the Steering Committee, the ATNF Director is no longer the chair of the ATNF Time Assignment Committee. This may affect the reporting of feedback from the TAC to the user community. Does ATUC have any concerns or comments on this development?
- How does ATUC recommend the user community be kept updated re SKA and ATNF SKA demonstrator developments?
- What is ATUC’s recommendation with regard to ATNF involvement in LOFAR?
- Does ATUC consider it useful to have a compilation of ATAC proposal statistics available to the community?
- Does ATUC have any concerns about the operational status of the Mopra telescope?
- Format and date for next meeting.
- Report to Director
Lunch 12:30 – 13:30
Business Session Ends 17:00