A STRATEGY TO OPTIMIZE THE U.S. OPTICAL/INFRARED SYSTEM IN THE ERA OF THE LARGE SYNOPTIC SURVEY TELESCOPE

美国国家科学院天文学和天体物理学委员会（CAA）将开展一项研究，以优化美国光学/红外系统在大型综合巡天望远镜时代的战略。 在发现的推动下，在技术和想象力的飞跃下，我们对宇宙的理解在过去几十年中发生了巨大的变化。天文学和天体物理学领域正在与物理学、化学、生物学和计算机科学建立新的联系。实现这些科学机会取决于保持和加强研究事业的基础。利用最近的天文学和天体物理学调查，新世界，天文学和天体物理学的新视野，以及NSF的投资组合审查报告，由美国宇航局的一个委员会进行的这项研究，将为美国国家科学基金会提供结论和建议，这将有助于美国国家科学基金会在光学/红外（OIR）技术的投资方面取得最佳的科学成果OIR系统研究委员会将作为一个常设论坛，汇集科学界的主要研究人员，来自整个联邦政府的代表讨论研究需求和与美国OIR系统相关的问题。该委员会将通过其工作，使广大的天文学和天体物理学界的成员能够与委员会的其他成员和公众分享他们的专业知识。这些讨论可以导致新的合作和对邻近活动的见解。通过确定跨领域的问题和机会，委员会可以加强研究和教育环境。研究委员会开展的活动将通过分发报告、经常更新委员会网站以及在专业协会会议上广泛传播。

The Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) of the National Academy of Sciences will carry out a study for A Strategy to Optimize the U.S. Optical/Infrared System in the Era of The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Driven by discoveries, and enabled by leaps in technology and imagination, our understanding of the Universe has changed dramatically over the course of the last few decades. The fields of astronomy and astrophysics are making new connections to physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Realizing these scientific opportunities is contingent upon maintaining and strengthening the foundations of the research enterprise. Using the recent survey of astronomy and astrophysics, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the NSF's Portfolio Review report, this study by a CAA committee will provide conclusions and recommendations to NSF which will help NSF achieve the best science for the investment in optical/infrared (OIR) resources and move the field forward.The OIR system study committee will have a broad impact by acting as an established forum to bring together leading researchers from the scientific community and representatives from across the federal government to discuss research needs and issues relevant to the U.S. OIR system. The committee will engage the broad astronomy and astrophysics community through its work whereby members of the research community can share their expertise with the rest of the committee and with the public. These discussions can lead to new collaborations and insights into neighboring activities. By identifying cross-cutting issues and opportunities, the committee can enhance the research and education environment. The activities undertaken by the study committee will be disseminated broadly through distribution of reports, frequent updates to the committee's website, and at professional society meetings.