FY 1997 NSF Request: Astronomical Sciences

The National Science Foundation budget request states:

“The FY 1997 Budget Request for the Astronomical Sciences Subactivity is $116.97 million, an increase of $10.76 million, or 10.1%, over the FY 1996 Estimate of $106.21 million.”

The Astronomical Sciences Subactivity request has two components: Astronomy Research and Instrumentation, and Facilities.

In a section entitled “Changes in Budget Structure,” the request states: “The former Astronomy Research Project Support program element has been renamed Astronomy Research and Instrumentation. This new program element more appropriately describes this program’s wide range of investment.”

Astronomy Research and Instrumentation funding would increase 16.3%, or $6.34 million, to $45.34 million. The request states this “will support the scientific priorities for studies in cosmology, the formation of stars and planets, and planetary atmospheres. A number of these activities include interagency partnerships. Priorities in instrumentation support will continue for the development of adaptive optics systems for moderate-aperture telescopes, particularly focusing on the search for extra-solar planets. A portion of this increase will support the NSF-wide instrumentation program. An additional $1.0 million will be provided to support partnerships with private and state-owned optical/infrared observatories to procure and develop state-of-the-art instrumentation on the new large-aperture telescopes under construction. There will also be emphasis on interactions between the academic, educational and industrial sectors, such as internships in industry and for graduate students.

Also under the section entitled, “Changes in Budget Structure,” the request states: “The Astronomical Sciences Subactivity will combine the three National Astronomy Centers, NAIC [National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center], NOAO [National Optical Astronomy Observatories], and NRAO [National Radio Astronomy Observatory] into a single program element, Facilities. This will simplify the budgetary presentation and provide for more flexible management of the individual facilities.” Facilities funding would increase 6.6%, or $4.42 million, to $71.63 million.

The request states:

"$5.10 million, an increase of $1.50 million, for the Gemini Observatories will provide for implementation of operational support for the two 8-meter telescopes currently being constructed in Hawaii and Chile by the United States and its international partners.

"$8.40 million, an increase of $300,000, for NAIC. With the completion of the upgrade of the Arecibo Telescope in 1996, support will be provided for its operation and maintenance and for development of instrumentation to take advantage of its new capabilities.

"$28.13 million, an increase of $1.28 million, for NOAO. Restructuring for more cost-effective operations is underway. Support is provided for operations and maintenance of the unique telescopes of these observatories, including the newly operational Global Oscillation Network Group.

"$30.00 million, an increase of $1.34 million, for NRAO will provide for the operations and maintenance of these unique telescopes, such as the Very Large Array and Very Long Baseline Array, and for development of instrumentation for the Greenbank Telescope under construction in West Virginia.”