For decades, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported cutting-edge astronomy research that has transformed our understanding of the universe. To ensure that NSF’s astronomy programs continue to push the edge of scientific discovery, NSF charged a special committee to examine how the division’s limited resources can be applied to future needs and to recommend steps to meet this goal. The group will present its recommendations to the Mathematics and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee on Friday, Nov. 3, 2006, at NSF headquarters.

The recommendations are based on a year of town-hall meetings, community visits and consultations.

What: Senior Review Committee Recommendations for NSF’s Astronomy Programs Presentation and reporter call-in during Mathematics and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee.

When: Presentation at 9:00 a.m. Reporter call-in at 2:00 p.m.
Call-in details: Start time: 2:00 p.m. sharp
USA toll-free number: 888-566-5771
International callers may use toll number: +1-212-287-1616
Passcode (STELLAR) and leader name (Patrick Olmert) are required to enter call

Who: Roger Blandford, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and Kavli
Institute of Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology
NSF Astronomy Division Director Wayne Van Citters

Where: NSB Boardroom (Room 1235)
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230 (Ballston Metro stop)
Enter at corner of 9th & Stuart Streets

The presentation is open to the public. It will be followed at 2:00 p.m. by an hour-long call-in program for media to ask questions of Blandford and AST Division Director Wayne Van Citters.

Registration for the call-in is requested to ensure that sufficient lines are available. Please contact Josh Chamot, Media Officer for MPS, at jchamot@nsf.gov or (703) 292-7730. After formatting for the web, an audio file and transcript will post to the NSF website.

A copy of the senior review document will post to this page at 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 3. Background on the review is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/ast_senior_review.jsp

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $5.58 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 1,700 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes nearly 10,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Useful NSF Web Sites:

Panel Set to Present Astronomy Program Recommendations to NSF