2nd Annual Report OPTICON Optical Infrared Co-ordination ...

WP2: Network for UV Astronomy (NUVA)
The objectives for the Network for UltraViolet Astronomy are:
- Formulate and operate a UV astronomy Network
- Plan and execute a road mapping activity
- Carry out exploratory analysis to define scientific requirements for the future and critical
assessment of the publicly available information in various archives.
WP1: An instrumentation meeting was held in Madrid, 17-18 November, to discuss/summarize
the characteristics of the instrumentation required from the science case articles. Two aspects
were analyzed in detail:
1. The target spectral features. This is required to tune the instruments sensitivity to them and
guarantee the optimal detection conditions for them. Also a first set of target lines for narrow
band imaging were identified.
2. Time resolution - requirements to track flares and outburst.
The major conclusion is that the most needed UV capability is high resolution spectroscopy
(Δ/Δ λ = 50,000) in the 950-3200 Angstrom range.
The article summarizing the results of the meeting is being prepared under the coordination of
Norbert Kappelmann (IAAT, Tuebingen) and will be included in the White book of UV
astronomy. Attendees: Norbert Kappelmann, Martin Bartsow, Isabella Pagano, Noah Brosch,
Francisco Najarro, Rosa Gonzalez and Ana I Gomez de Castro
WP2: The UV science case book is, in press. The book will be entitled: “Fundamental problems
in astrophysics: Guideline for future UV observatories” and be published by Astrophysics &
Space Science/Kluwer-Springer (Vol 302). This book represents the draft of the “White book”
for UV astronomy.
WP3 D2: NUVA web site has been established (www.ucm.es/info/nuva) . The web is handled by
a contents manager so it works as an instrument for publication/interaction among the disperse
UV community.
WP3: High Time Resolution Astrophysics (HTRA)
No expenses have been reported in 2005, since most of the communication related to WP3 has
taken place by e-mail and direct contacts in conjunction with activities in JRA3.
The HTRA working group met at NUI Galway in October 2005. The plans for the HTRA
network activities were presented at this meeting. The main activity was a discussion for the
preparation of a 'white book' on HTRA in June 2006. This has provisionally been titled
'Astrophysics in the 4th dimension', with a proposed selection of about 20 reviews, prepared
in the course of a meeting of invited experts. Different subject and topic headings were
discussed at the meeting, along with suggestions for invited speakers.
WP4: Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (AVO)
This was the final year of the Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (AVO) project. The third and
last AVO demonstration was held on January 25 - 26, 2005, at the European Space
Astronomy Centre (ESAC; previously known as VILSPA), near Madrid, concurrent with a
22 Contract [RII3-CT-2004-001566]
Annual Report