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                       ALMA/GSMT Meeting Summary


Dear Colleagues:

I have tried to capture the main points of our discussion in the bulletized
summary below. PLEASE PROVIDE COMMENTS AND ADDITIONS over the next
few days, and in any case prior to 03 Aug so that I can begin to
take the next steps with the confidence that this summary indeed
represents the group consensus.

-- there was universal agreement that ALMA and GSMT enable powerful
    and complementary probes of astrophysical phenomena and events:
    from the origin and early evolutionary history of galaxies, to the
    formation of planets in accretion disks around young stars, to
    the final stages of stellar evolution.



    Details of the potential synergies are summarized in the meeting
    presentations which are now accessible through the AURA New
    Initiatives Office website:


http://www.aura-nio.noao.edu/presentations/alma-gsmt/alma-gsmt.html


-- While the QUALITATIVE synergies between the two facilities is clear,
    QUANTITATIVE analysis of example problems are currently unavailable.

-- Two steps are required in order to enable quantitative study:

    * creation and/or translations of existing models into O/IR
      and mm/submm observables for systems likely to be the target
      of major ALMA and GSMT programs. These would include circumstellar
      accretion and debris disks; extrasolar giant planets in various stages
      of evolution; pregalactic fragments; assembling galaxies; young
      assembled galaxies. At this stage, such models need to be PLAUSIBLE
      rather than detailed.

      The group consensus appeared to be that adequate MODELS might
      be available, but that translation into observables (surface
      brightnesses; line fluxes; etc...) is still needed.


    * creation of readily accessible tools for simulating observations
      of these target systems and calculating observing times.

-- Following creation of models (and/or translation of existing
    models into observables),  'observing scenarios', outlining
    comprehensive ALMA/GSMT programs should be developed.

-- To carry out the above will require support of several committed
    individuals or groups. It was proposed that NIO offer to fund
    studies/simulations leading to creation of input models and
    observing scenarios.

-- Setting the 'statements of work' for such studies might be
    the first task for small, standing 'working groups'


    large-scale structure and galaxy evolution

    star and planet formation

    STROM and WOOTTEN will work together to assemble candidate names
    for those working groups with a goal of circulating them to the
    ALMA/GSMT workshop participants for comment prior to 01 AUG.


-- NIO will develop an 'exposure time calculator' to guide analysis
    of time requirements for O/IR observations.

    Q: will NRAO be able to provide a similar tool, or does one
    already exist?

-- Owing to the potential synergies, the requirement of
    co-locating ALMA and NGST in the southern hemisphere becomes a
    potentially important issue.

    To understand QUANTITATIVELY whether co-location is required, we
    need to develop an understanding of the zenith-angle-
    dependent factors that can degrade ALMA and GSMT observations
    (AO/MCAO performance; atmospheric extinction, both broad-
    and narrow band; atmsopheric emissivity; mm-wave seeing;
    phasing issues......)

    STROM took the action to work with Rigaut and Ellerbroek from NIO
    to develop a short paper summarizing the O/IR issues.

    WOOTTEN took the parallel action for ALMA

-- The need for at least one, and possibly several technical working groups
    was identified.

    Specifically, registration of O/IR and mm-wave fields to a common
    astrometric coordinate group may be a real challenge, particularly
    given the ability to make 20mas images!

    Via this summary, I am asking whether Min Yun would be willing
     to work with me to assemble such a working group.


-- Participants agreed that there would be significant value in a
    broader (60-80 participant) community workshop aimed at deeper
    exploration of GSMT synergies NOT ONLY WITH ALMA, but with other
    next generation facilities (e.g. SKA; NGST....).

    It was agreed that 'homework' prior to such a workshop would greatly
    enhance its value by enabling quantitative as well as qualitative
    discussions.

    STROM, working with NIO scientists, will take the action to recommend
    a meeting framework, to be vetted with the attendees at the 09 JUL
    Washington workshop.


Thank you all once again for taking the time to prepare focused and
very useful remarks and to participate in what I thought was a lively
and productive discussion. I look forward to working with you in
the future.


Best

Steve Strom