Letters of Intent received in 2016

LoI 2018-1918
Focus Meeting (GA): Studies of the Interstellar Medium at Mid-Infrared to Submillimeter Wavelengths: the Next Decade

Topics

i) Diagnostics for interstellar processes in the mid-IR to submm spectral region.
ii) Key results from past and current instruments: Spitzer, Herschel, SOFIA, ALMA and other ground-based telescopes.
iii) Future potential of current and near-future facilities: JWST, SOFIA, ALMA and other ground-based telescopes.
iv) Advances in technologies and improvements in capabilities for future instruments.
v) The use of data archives.

Rationale

A number of unique and important diagnostics for studying interstellar processes (e.g. heating and cooling, shocks, feedback, dust processing, astrochemistry, and magnetic fields) are available in the mid-IR to submm spectral region. Studies of the ISM using Spitzer and Herschel have resulted in a number of new findings and key insights. Observatories such as SOFIA and ALMA, and the soon-to-be-launched JWST are expanding and will continue to expand the range and depth of observations in terms of wavelength coverage, angular resolution, spectral resolution and sensitivity. A key potential for dramatic improvements in this spectral region is the development of new technology that will increase the capabilities of future instruments.

A focus meeting at the 2018 General Assembly will be a timely forum to discuss the immediate future of mid-IR to submm studies of the ISM. It will bring together observers, instrument builders and theorists to examine thoroughly the scientific and technological landscape and identify the most pressing questions about interstellar processes that should be addressed using observations of our Galaxy and the local universe with current and future instruments.

Organization: Astronomers associated with the SOFIA Project will take the lead in organizing the FM. We will strive for broad representation and balance on the SOC and among suggested speakers. A preliminary idea for the distribution of time for the 2-day focus meeting is as follows: 1 day for ISM science (background, recent results and future investigations), 2/3 day for technologies and new instrumentation, and 1/3 day for data archive curation and usage.