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J.C. Mather (NASA/GSFC), H.S. Stockman (STScI)
To guide the design of the NGST, the Ad Hoc Science Working Group (ASWG) and members of the international astronomy community have proposed an exciting program of scientific observations enabled by NGST. Sufficiently detailed to uncover engineering requirements, these studies cover a broad range of astronomical topics, from the physics of star and planet formation to the origins and evolution of the earliest galaxies. In the U.S., six teams have studied near-infrared and mid-infrared instruments to support these and other scientific investigations. Beginning in September, the ASWG will consider the results of these studies and those of our international partners. Based upon the NGST science program program, the ASWG will recommend priorities for scientific capabilities to NASA. Ultimately, NASA, ESA, and CSA will agree on the instrument contributions from each partner based upon these recommendations, cost estimates, and technological readiness. We summarize the plans for developing these recommendations and the opportunities for scientific and technological involvement by the U.S. astronomy community during the next two years.
If the author provided an email address or URL for general inquiries, it is a
s follows:
http://ngst.gsfc.nasa.gov/