1. Full-spectrum Astronomy, Computing and the SKA
Alyssa Goodman
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Cygnus Region, from:
Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory(DRAO)
74 cm: Rose
21 cm: Green
Infrared Astronomical Satellite(IRAS)
60 micron: Turquoise
25 micron: Blue

2. The Distant Past 1. 2.

3. The Present 1. 5. 2. 4. 3. /home/harce/taurus/sfd(24)% ls *.fits
SFD_dust_4096_sgp.fits avtauconv64.fits
SFD_i100_4096_sgp.fits avtauconv96.fits
SFD_temp_sgp.fits neptauconv32.fits avtau.fits tau100.fits temptaunb2.fits
avtauconv160.fits tau100conv32.fits temptaub1.fits temptausb2.fits.fits 3.

4. 1. 5.
The Future, from Earth 2. 4.
/home/harce/taurus/sfd(24)% ls *.fits
SFD_dust_4096_sgp.fits avtauconv64.fits
SFD_i100_4096_sgp.fits avtauconv96.fits
SFD_temp_sgp.fits neptauconv32.fits avtau.fits tau100.fits temptaunb2.fits
avtauconv160.fits tau100conv32.fits temptaub1.fits temptausb2.fits.fits 3.

5. Multimission Ops. Center Flight Operations Center
The Future, from Space
Observatory
Science Community
SOLAR PANEL
(LMMS)
User Community
SIRTF Science Center
(Caltech)
Slide courtesy SIRTF Science Center (M. Werner)
Multimission Ops. Center
&
Flight Operations Center
(JPL)
Deep Space Network

6. The Future, from Cyberspace
Science Community
NVO

7. Hunting, Gathering, Farming & Chemistry
The Past, The Present, The Future & The Unknown
Hunting, Gathering, Farming & Chemistry

8. Multiwavelength Milky Way
(images mainly from GSFC/ADC)
slide courtesy of T. Dame

9. Where to Find the Bounty

10. Why a Patisserie? freshness of food  data integrity
great baker  specialist astronomer

11. Is the SKA an exotic specialty store, or a farm?
Unique capabilities of large-N array mean it can be both.
Multi-beaming means multi-project.
Must design the SKA, in advance, to cater to both the the gourmets and the gourmands.

12. Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
Formation and Evolution of Galaxies * The Dawn of Galaxies: Searching for the Epoch of First Light * 21-cm Emission and Absorption Mechanisms * Preheating the IGM * SKA Imaging of Cosmological HI * Large Scale Structure and Galaxy Evolution * A Deep SKA HI Pencil Beam Survey * Large scale structure studies from a shallow, wide area survey * The Ly-a forest seen in the 21-cm HI line * High Redshift CO * Deep Continuum Fields * Extragalactic Radio Sources * The SubmicroJansky Sky * Probing Dark Matter with Gravitational Lensing * Activity in Galactic Nuclei * The SKA and Active Galactic Nuclei * Sensitivity of the SKA in VLBI Arrays * Circum-nuclear MegaMasers * H2O megamasers * OH Megamasers * Formaldehyde Megamasers * The Starburst Phenomenon * Interstellar Processes * HII Regions: High Resolution Imaging of Thermal Emission * Centimetre Wavelength Molecular Probes of the ISM * Supernova Remnants * The Origin of Cosmic Rays * Interstellar Plasma Turbulence * Recombination Lines * Magnetic Fields * Rotation Measure Synthesis * Polarization Studies of the Interstellar Medium in the Galaxy and in Nearby External Galaxies * Formation and Evolution of Stars * Continuum Radio Emission from Stars * Imaging the Surfaces of Stars * Red Giants and Supergiant Stars * Star Formation * Protostellar Cores * Protostellar Jets * Uncovering the Evolutionary Sequence * Magnetic Fields in Protostellar Objects * Cool Star Astronomy * The Radio Sun * Observing Solar Analogs at Radio Wavelengths * Where are the many other Radio Suns? * Flares and Microflares * X-ray Binaries * Relativistic Electrons from X-ray Transients * The Faint Persistent Population * Imaging of Circumstellar Phenomena * Stellar Astrometry * Supernovae * Radio Supernovae * The Radio After-Glows of Gamma-ray Bursts * Pulsars * Pulsar Searches * Pulsar Timing* Radio Pulsar Timing and General Relativity * Solar System Science * Thermal Emission from Small Solar System Bodies * Asteroids * Planetary Satellites * Kuiper Belt Objects * Radar Imaging of Near Earth Asteroids * The Atmosphere and Magnetosphere of Jupiter * Comet Studies * Solar Radar * Coronal Scattering * Formation and Evolution of Life * Detection of Extrasolar Planets * Pre-Biotic Interstellar Chemistry * The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
The SKA is for Everyone

13. …as long as we can Sell it Build It Make it easy enough to use
Will require support outside radio community (e.g. put gourmets & gourmands on SWG)
Politics (ISSC, USSKA Consortium)
Build It
Technology (enables reasonable cost)
Feasibility of US concept relies primarily on computing
Make it easy enough to use
Relies almost entirely on computing
Requires experts to design interfaces that can meet future "FDA" (NVO) standards

14. Today’s Discussion: Strategy
Keep in mind:
Gourmets (radio astronomers) want a patisserie
Gourmands (full-spectrum astronomers) want a fine "pastry (radio) aisle" for their Super Stop & Shop

15. Make the SKA an integral part of "Full-spectrum Astronomy"
Take problem-oriented approach
Astronomy by issue, rather than by wavelength
Ultimately, though, much will still rely on individual "heroes" (we can't just sit around and talk about this!)

16. Composite spectrum of central 5 x 5 arcmin
An example: Orion
Composite spectrum of central 5 x 5 arcmin
H2O, OH Maser/NH3/Continuum cm-waves + near-IR of central 20 x 20 arcsec
5"=0.01 pc
P. Kondratko 2001
L. Greenhill 2001

17. Think of Computing as integral to the SKA, the way "Instrumentation" was to Telescopes in the 20th Century
(How to) involve “outsiders”
Who should they be? Professionals?
When should they become involved?
Avoid: “No money left for a fancy interface”
NVO initiatives

18. Computing Challenges
Use of commercial fiber in interferometer will test switching technologies
SKA correlator could be world's largest computer
Scheduling multiple simultaneous remote or automatic observations
Offering interface/database flexible enough for gourmets & gourmands alike

19. …and the SKA Who’s really going to build it?
How does that effect earlier discussions?