Management, Operations, and Associated Projects for the National Optical Astronomy Observatory

根据这份合作协议，美国大学天文学研究协会（AURA）将代表美国国家科学基金会和全国地面光学/红外天文学研究人员管理和运营国家光学天文台（NOAO）和相关项目。AURA将提供一个国家天文台，为美国天文学家提供一套完整而平衡的地面、光学和红外观测设施。此外，AURA将建立优先事项和流程，以创建一个卓越的国家观测系统，并在创造性的公私合作伙伴关系的帮助下启用新的尖端设施。根据科学价值原则，NOAO将为基特峰国家天文台和塞罗·托洛洛美洲天文台的研究人员提供前沿设施和科学仪器，以及内部专家支持和数据分析工具。在这些天文台，NOAO提供了一系列的资产，包括四个4米级的望远镜。NOAO还作为美国国家门户，通过望远镜系统仪器计划进入双子座天文台的双8米望远镜和许多非联邦美国天文台。NOAO的科学家和工程师正在与公私财团合作，设计和开发大型综合巡天望远镜和两个巨型分段镜望远镜项目。在最高水平上，NOAO将使研究组合能够为最伟大的新兴天文学理论提供可量化的测试，从控制行星形成和恒星输出的过程到宇宙加速、宇宙膨胀和暗能量的性质。该计划的更广泛影响包括：根据知识价值向整个社区提供使用天文研究设施的机会，为未来的调查提供数据的存档和分发，以及开发下一代天文仪器和设施。国家天文观测组织领导了一个广泛的教育项目，面向参观其设施的公众游客、对天文学感兴趣的本科生、进行天文学论文研究的研究生以及希望访问其设施的博士后研究人员。根据这项合作协议的条款，NOAO将大力促进在天文学和相关科学方面代表不足的少数民族和残疾人的进步。

Under terms of this Cooperative Agreement, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. will manage and operate the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and associated projects on behalf of the National Science Foundation and the national community of ground-based, optical/infrared astronomy researchers. AURA will provide a national observatory that offers U.S. astronomers access to a complete and balanced suite of ground-based, optical and infrared observing facilities. In addition AURA will establish priorities and processes to create a superior national observing system and to enable new, cutting-edge facilities, aided by inventive, public-private partnerships.NOAO will provide forefront facilities and scientific instruments for researchers at Kitt Peak National Observatory and Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory based on the principle of scientific merit, as well as expert in-house support and data analysis tools. At these observatories NOAO provides a range of assets that include four telescopes of 4-meter class. NOAO also serves as the U. S. national gateway to the twin 8-meter telescopes of the Gemini Observatory and to many non-federal US observatories through the Telescope System Instrumentation Program. Scientists and engineers at NOAO are partnering with public-private consortia in the design and development of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope and two Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope projects. At the highest level NOAO will enable a research portfolio designed to provide quantifiable tests of the grandest emerging astronomical theories, from the processes that govern planetary formation and stellar output to the accelerating Universe, cosmic inflation, and the nature of dark energy. Broader impacts of this program include providing access to astronomical research facilities to the entire community on the basis of intellectual merit, archiving and distribution of data to enable future investigations, and developing next generation astronomical instruments and facilities. NOAO leads a broad program in education for public visitors to its facilities, undergraduates interested in astronomy, graduate students conducting dissertation research in astronomy, and postdoctoral researchers desiring access to its facilities. Under terms of this Cooperative Agreement NOAO will vigorously promote the advancement of under-represented minorities and persons with disabilities in astronomy and related sciences.