Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan
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Discovery at the Cosmic Frontier: Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan 2020–2030 Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) © 2021 Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) ISBN 978-0-9878010-4-3 Downloadable PDF available at www.casca.ca Aussi disponible en français All images not credited obtained from iStock Design by Intent forgoodintent.com Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) Discovery at the Cosmic Frontier: Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan 2020–2030 COVER Joined by bright Jupiter and fainter Saturn, the summer Milky Way shines above the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. Canadian astronomy is poised to make great discoveries about the cosmos, and to deliver substantive benefits to Canada and to the world. Page 136 Table of Contents 6 Preface 81 Gemini 7 Chapter 1 – Executive Summary 83 LSST 84 MSE 10 Chapter 2 – Scope and Purpose of This Report 85 SDSS-V 12 Chapter 3 – The State of Astronomy in Canada in 2020 85 Subaru 14 Highlights and Achievements of the Last Decade 86 VLOT 14 Infrastructure 88 Ground-Based Facilities: Radio, Millimetre and Submillimetre 16 Knowledge 89 ALMA 20 Capacity 90 CHORD 21 Theoretical Astrophysics 91 CMB-S4 22 Current Facilities: Ground-based Telescopes 92 FYST 24 Current Facilities: Space Telescopes 92 JCMT and Future Large Submillimetre Single-Dish Telescopes 24 Instrumentation and Technology Development 93 ngVLA 27 Research Computing Infrastructure 94 Simons Observatory (SO) 28 Funding and Organizations 94 SKA1 33 People 98 Space Astronomy Missions 35 Canadian Astronomy and Society 98 ARIEL 35 Public Engagement 99 ATHENA 42 Astronomy and Other Scientific Fields 99 Ballooning 42 Industry-Astronomy Partnerships 100 CASTOR 43 Benefits to Society 102 Colibrì 46 Chapter 4 – Science Questions for the Next Decade 103 Cooled Infrared Space Telescope of Astrophysics In Canada 104 ÉPPÉ 51 How Did the Universe Begin and What Is It Made Of? 104 Euclid 51 How Have Stars and Galaxies Changed Over Cosmic Time? 105 JWST 52 What Are the Extreme Conditions of the Universe? 106 LiteBIRD 53 Why Are Planetary Systems So Diverse and Could Other 107 NASA Flagships Planets Host Life? 108 NEOSSat 54 Chapter 5 – Recommendations on Facilities, 108 POEP Projects and Resources 109 XRISM 59 Recommendation on Selecting the Locations of Astronomy Facilities and Infrastructure 110 Chapter 7 – Astronomy and Society 59 Recommendation on Coordination of Funding Agencies 112 Professional Culture and Responsibilities 59 Recommendations on Theoretical Astrophysics 112 Equity and Inclusion 59 Recommendations on Digital Research Infrastructure 115 Ethics and Values 60 Recommendations on NRC-University Partnerships 116 Indigenous Engagement 60 Recommendations on Observational Facilities 118 Education and Public Outreach 63 Recommended Large (>$30M) Investments 120 Sustainability in Ground-Based Facilities 121 Governance and Funding 66 Recommended Mid-Scale ($5M–$30M) Investments 121 NRC and HAA in Ground-Based Facilities 123 CSA and JCSA 69 Recommended Very Large (>$100M) Investments in Space Astronomy 126 CFI 69 Recommended Large ($25M–$100M) Investments 127 NSERC in Space Astronomy 128 CASCA, ACURA, and LRPIC 71 Recommended Additional (<$25M) Investments 129 CCA in Space Astronomy 131 Training of Highly-Qualified Personnel 72 Chapter 6 – Future Landscape 132 Professional Training and Skills Development 74 Theoretical Astrophysics 133 Career Development and Progression 77 Digital Research Infrastructure 136 Chapter 8 – Epilogue 79 Ground-Based Facilities: Optical and Infrared 138 Chapter 9 – Reference Material and Appendices 80 Arctic Astronomy 80 CFHT Preface On behalf of Matt Dobbs, Jeremy Heyl, Natasha Ivanova, David Lafrenière, Brenda Matthews and Alice Shapley, we are pleased to present the final report of the Canadian Astronomical Society’s 2020 Long Range Plan for Canadian Astronomy (LRP2020). This report presents a roadmap for Canadian astronomy over the next decade and beyond, reflecting Canadian astronomers’ aspirations and passion for understanding the Universe. The LRP2020 report is the work of not only the eight LRP panel members, but also the hundreds of researchers who contributed white papers, reports, ideas, detailed critiques, ideas and commentary, the dozens of staff members from funding agencies and other organizations who participated in consultations and provided feedback, and the many colleagues from around the world who responded to our requests for information. We are grateful to all of these individuals for their participation, to the agencies whose financial support enabled the LRP2020 process, and to the CASCA Board for entrusting us with the leadership of this exercise. We look forward to seeing the recommendations enacted and the discovery potential of Canadian astronomy fulfilled. Pauline Barmby and Bryan Gaensler Co-Chairs, 2020 Long Range Plan for Canadian Astronomy December 2020 6 Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan 2020–2030 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Executive Summary Canada has played a leading role in exploring the Universe for more than a century, with many spectacular discoveries over the last decade. Canadian astronomers now have exciting plans to further expand our horizons and our cosmic understanding, centred around four core questions: 1. How did the Universe begin and what is it made of? 2. How have stars and galaxies changed over cosmic time? 3. What are the extreme conditions of the Universe? 4. Why are planetary systems so diverse and could other planets host life? In order to answer these questions and then to share in Phase 1 of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA1). These these discoveries with the public, Canadian astronomers were also the highest ground-based priorities in the 2010 will need access to a wide range of powerful telescopes and Long Range Plan, and are anticipated to move forward supercomputers, paired with new ways of interacting with in the next two to three years. Two future projects, data, with each other, and with the broader community. the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) and the In this 2020 Long Range Plan for Canadian Astronomy, Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), represent we set out priorities and recommendations that will compelling future opportunities for Canada and should be ensure that Canadian astronomy sits at the forefront further developed. Mid-scale investments ($5M–$30M) of knowledge and discovery over the next ten years, in ground-based facilities are also of key importance. that the associated community of scientists, staff and Significant scientific returns lie ahead for several of students will succeed and flourish, and that this work Canada’s existing telescopes: Canada should continue benefits the Canadian economy and Canadian society. to support the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Large telescopes in remote locations are the core Array (ALMA), the Gemini Observatory, and the Canada- component of modern astronomy. We recommend that France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). Canada should also the Canadian astronomical community develop and adopt make new mid-scale investments in future facilities, a comprehensive set of guiding principles for the locations specifically in the Canadian Hydrogen Observatory of astronomy facilities and associated infrastructure, to and Radio-transient Detector (CHORD), the Cosmic be applied to all future Canadian participation in astronomy Microwave Background Stage 4 experiment (CMB-S4), projects. These principles should be centred on consent and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). from relevant Indigenous Peoples and traditional title Space astronomy missions provide unique information holders, and should reject the use or threat of force not available from telescopes on the ground. Participation for developing or accessing an astronomical site. in multiple new space astronomy missions is needed to Over the next decade, Canada’s highest priorities for maintain Canada’s expertise and skill base, and to address large investments (>$30M) in ground-based telescopes the broad scientific needs of the Canadian astronomy are a very large optical telescope (VLOT) and participation community. The highest priority for very large (>$100M) Canadian Astronomical Society 7 Chapter 1 investments in space astronomy is the Cosmological and construction of university-led mid-scale initiatives, Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and ultraviolet and to enhance the high-risk, high-reward innovation Research (CASTOR), an outstanding prospect for Canada’s capabilities of university-based astrophysics laboratories. first marquee space astronomy mission. Participation Theoretical astrophysics is an essential part of modern in NASA’s next flagship astronomy mission is also a high astronomy. Canada has built a critical mass of world-leading priority in this category. The community’s highest priority theorists who study phenomena across the Universe, unified for large ($25M–$100M) investments in space astronomy by the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics is participation in the Japanese-led Lite satellite for the (CITA) at the University of Toronto and its accompanying studies of B-mode polarization and Inflation from cosmic national program. As CITA now moves into its fifth decade, background Radiation Detection (LiteBIRD), followed by CITA’s footprint should grow and decentralize, so that it pursuing opportunities for substantive participation in a can play a greater role in enhancing the national theoretical large, cooled, infrared international space telescope. The astrophysics profile on the world scene, and can