NSF's National Optical-infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOARL) Transition Planning and Preparation Project

NCOA过渡规划和准备项目包括必要的规划和准备，以完成从双子座天文台、国家光学天文观测站(NOAO)和大型天气观测望远镜(LSST)作为独立天文台运营到在一个由集中服务和矩阵运营管理结构支持的单一综合国家光学-红外天文学中心(NCOA)运营的转型。NCOA将：(1)成为美国国家地面、夜间光学和红外(OIR)天文学中心；(2)运营和维护OIR观测研究设施和相关数据系统；(3)开发、建设、协调和整合整个美国OIR系统的观测、技术和面向数据的能力；(4)启动、发展和维持国内和国际合作与伙伴关系，以推进地面OIR设施和能力；以及(5)与社区科学家、合作伙伴组织、其他美国OIR系统运营商和NSF合作，开发和推进NSF资助的OIR能力的战略愿景。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The NCOA Transition Planning and Preparation Project encompasses the planning and preparation necessary to complete the transition from operating the Gemini Observatory, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) as independent observatories to operating them under a single, integrated National Center for Optical-Infrared Astronomy (NCOA) supported by centralized services and a matrix management structure for operations. NCOA will: (1) be the U.S. national Center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared (OIR) astronomy; (2) operate and maintain OIR observational research facilities and related data systems; (3) develop, build, coordinate, and integrate observational, technical, and data-oriented capabilities available throughout the U.S. OIR System of federal and nonfederal assets; (4) initiate, develop, and sustain domestic and international collaborations and partnerships to advance ground-based OIR facilities and capabilities; and (5) develop and advance a strategic vision for NSF-funded OIR capabilities in collaboration with community scientists, partner organizations, other U.S. OIR System operators, and NSF.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.