Teleconference, 9 August 2001

Draft Minutes

Participants: R. Bachiller, R. Booth, R. Brown, R. Crutcher, Y. Fukui, S. Guilloteau, M. Gurwell, T. Hasegawa, J. Mangum, H. Matsuo, R. Kurz, S.
Sakamoto, P. Schilke, P. Shaver, K. Tatematsu, E. van Dishoeck, J. Welch, C. Wilson, A. Wootten, S. Yamamoto, M. Yun

E. van Dishoeck welcomed J. Mangum as ex-officio member of the ASAC replacing D. Emerson, and P. Schilke as temporary replacement for K.
Menten.

The proposed agenda was adopted, and the minutes of the last teleconference were accepted.

1. Update on three-way project: Prospects for construction

R. Brown reported that the U.S. decision concerning the 2002 funds whether they will be a continuation of Phase 1 or the beginning of construction will be made in September. While it will not make a big difference for the actual activities in 2002, as an authorization for contruction it would obviously have a huge impact on the outlook for the project. T. Hasegawa said that in Japan the situation was very tight but hopeful; the next step is passage of the budget request from MEXT to the ministry of Finance at the end of August. On the European side, P. Shaver reported that the European proposal, which had been completed and submitted in original form in December last year, will be modified in accordance with the 3-way project in October. An approval of construction by the U.S. would certainly accelerate the approval process in Europe.

2. Report ACA tiger team & ACA science examples

S. Guilloteau reported on the preliminary first results from the ACA tiger team (see link). He said that the results are quite dependent on the deconvolution technique, and that there may ultimately be no very clear conclusion possible, as there are many parameters and the conclusion will depend strongly on the type of science. R. Crutcher and M. Yun stressed the need for analysis of the science cases, and C. Wilson said that good images would be required to present the results. E. van Dishoeck said this will be discussed at more length in the nextteleconference. Drafts from the liaisons and volunteers will be available by September.

3. Report band 10 working group

S. Yamamoto summarized the science case for band 10 (see link). He gave an overview of the four main objectives, and said the relative priorities of these items were still being considered. C. Wilson said it was hard to make such priorities. E. van Dishoeck said that this science case will be integrated along with the others into a single document on possible enhancements.

4. Future/enhanced correlator workshop

R. Bachiller reported briefly on the recent (August 5-7) correlator workshop and referred to the short report written by Baudry and Okumura (link). He said that a major new development was that the working group was considering a unified design. He said that the issues should be discussed at the ASAC face-to-face meeting, and that revised guidelines should be written. The draft response will be distributed before the face-to-face meeting.

5. Report operations working group; statement of work

C. Wilson reported that the operations working group had been divided into two subgroups, before/during observations (chair C. Wilson), and after observations (chair Y. Fukui). She said the first group had a complete draft, which would be given to N. Evans shortly. Y. Fukui said that he had sent a request for input from the second group, and expected replies by tomorrow.

6. Report SSR Berkeley meeting

J. Mangum said that the SSR working group was considering the draft pipeline document as input to the Use Cases. A document would be produced in time for the face-to-face meeting.

7. Draft DSB/2SB recommendation

E. van Dishoeck asked whether there were any further comments or questions on the draft DSB/2SB recommendation. As there were none, it now goes to the Receiver working group.

8. Chile site visit agenda

A. Wootten reviewed the plans for the visit to San Pedro/Chajnantor. He stressed the health and safety issues, and referred ASAC members to the relevant information (link).

9. Chile ASAC draft agenda

E. van Dishoeck asked ASAC members to check the draft agenda, and to send comments/suggestions to herself and A. Wootten. C. Wilson asked whether the draft response from the Calibration PDR was available, and A. Wootten said it will be posted shortly. E. van Dishoeck said that documents for the face-to-face meeting should be available by the beginning of September.

10. Next teleconference

The next ASAC teleconference will take place on Thursday 23 August at 14:15 UT.