Far-IR Science Interest Group

Far-Infrared Next Generation Instrumentation Community Workshop

If you were awarded 200 hrs on SOFIA or a series of many balloon campaigns what would you do with that time?
What science areas are not being addressed by our current far-IR (20-600 micron) platforms?
Where are our critical technology gaps?

We want to hear from you! Please bring your answers to those questions, and share your ideas to shape how we collect future Far-IR data at the Far-Infrared Next Generation Instrument Community Workshop, at Caltech, on Thursday March 23, 2017, 8:30am-5pm PST.

A map to Room 410, Spalding, Caltech, can be found here.

Please indicate your intent to attend by filling out this registration form.

Even if you cannot attend the workshop we still want to capture your input on your science needs or questions. They will be a valuable part of the workshop discussion. We will read these during the workshop and capture the responses and discussions in the Workshop minutes.

If you are interested in a tour of SOFIA on Friday March 24th, we will need additional information to arrange visitor badges and transport to/from Palmdale, CA. Spaces on the van are limited, so please indicate your intent to join the tour here at the end of the registration form available here.

We, as the far-IR community, could face up to a few decades before a space-based far-IR telescope once again adds to our growing knowledge of the Solar System, our Galaxy, and the Universe beyond.

How can we be better at utilizing our existing platforms, including SOFIA, balloon-based platforms, sounding rockets, and the emerging field of reusable suborbital vehicles?
How can we get our technology ready for the next great far-IR leap?

We are specifically soliciting community input in shaping the next opportunity for new instrumentation: SOFIA Next Gen Instrument call to come out in summer 2017 in ROSES. Discussions after lunch include lessons learned as we strive to better innovate this particular platform, plus how to better use balloons and suborbital vehicles in future calls.

With thanks from the FIR SIG chairs,
Duncan Farrah & JD Smith

Who is coming? See the list of currently registered participants

Online Streaming
The Far-Infrared Next Generation Instrumentation Community Workshop will be streamed online through WebEx. You can join online here to meeting number 198 726 166. Or, call in for an audio connection at +1-855-749-4750 (US toll free) or +1-415-655-0001 using the access code: 198 726 166.

Schedule

8:30am	Coffee & Pastries
9:00am	Workshop Introduction & Scope	Kimberly Ennico
9:30am	What you don't know about SOFIA	Hal Yorke
10:00am	What may balloons be doing next?	Chris Walker
10:30am	Coffee Break
11:00am	Using multiple platforms for Far-IR technology development	Carl Ferkinhoff
11:30am	Discussion Introduction & Lessons Learned	Kimberly Ennico
11:45am	Part 1 - Our Future Are there specific areas that we need to see emphasized in future Far-IR (ROSES, etc.) calls?	Moderator: Paul Goldsmith
12:15pm	Lunch List of local restaurants here
1:30pm	Part 2 - Shaping the Next Generation What do you want your SOFIA Observatory to achieve next? Upcoming ROSES opportunity
3:15pm	Coffee Break
3:45pm	Part 3 - Shaping access above 80,000 feet (24 km)
4:45pm	Wrap-up and Adjourn	Kimberly Ennico