Workshop2011:rationale - Revision history

Lukasz at 14:57, 11 March 2011

2011-03-11T14:57:01Z

Lukasz at 10:12, 21 February 2011

2011-02-21T10:12:26Z

Lukasz at 17:21, 15 February 2011

2011-02-15T17:21:19Z

Gsawgwikiadmin: Created page with 'The first workshop on Gaia Science Alerts, was held in June 2010 in Cambridge. We introduced the Science Alerts concept to a broad group of scientists from the international astr...'

2011-01-31T15:37:53Z

Created page with 'The first workshop on Gaia Science Alerts, was held in June 2010 in Cambridge. We introduced the Science Alerts concept to a broad group of scientists from the international astr...'

New page

The first workshop on Gaia Science Alerts, was held in June 2010 in
Cambridge. We introduced the Science Alerts concept to a broad group
of scientists from the international astronomical community. During
the workshop key areas of interest were defined, and potential Gaia
contributions to these fields were discussed in detail.

The Gaia Science Alerts stream will be the first Gaia data released to
the community, so it is extremely important to produce reliable and
robust alerts. To ensure that the released alerts are accurately
classified, low in contaminants and contain interesting transient
events, the complex data processing pipeline has to be thoroughly
tested. The first alerts will need to be verified with an extensive
programme of dedicated follow-up observations. These comprise:
* imaging to confirm the presence and brightness of an alerting source,
* continuous photometric monitoring to obtain a detailed light-curve to help fine-tune the classification
* high/intermediate resolution spectroscopy to investigate the real nature of an event.

----
The verification programme is scheduled to take place in the first
three months of operation of the Gaia Science Alert system. To
classify as many alerts as possible requires a dedicated network of
telescopes and a well-organised team. Now, with the Gaia launch so
close, we are approaching a crucial point in time. We need to organise
our teams, choose instruments and telescopes, construct observing
proposals, and prepare the community for the influx of Gaia alerts. A
meeting scheduled for next summer is the best way to achieve our
primary goals:
* Familiarisation of potential observers and research groups with Gaia and its alerting system, and the specific requirements of verification.
* A plan of the detailed scope of the alerts verification phase, including how long it should last
* Selection of likely telescopes and instruments
* Identification of key people who will assist with verification
* Confirmation of the scientific requirementss for the follow-up of Gaia alerts, e.g. in the area of supernovae or cataclysmic variables
* Discussion of technical issues related with alert dissemination and follow-up feedback

----
During the interactive workshop we plan to bring together:
* Experts on the Gaia mission, including Gaia Science Alerts
* People responsible for telescopes around the globe
* Astronomers experienced with observations of transient phenomena
* Scientists and experts active in studying transient phenomena
* Scientists involved in the distribution of alerts, e.g. from skyalert.org
* Individuals interested in the outreach possibilities of Gaia Science Alerts

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 The [[Workshop2010:main|first workshop on Gaia Science Alerts]], was held in June 2010 in
-Cambridge. We introduced the Science Alerts concept to a broad group
+Cambridge. We introduced the concept of the Science Alerts to a broad group
 of scientists from the international astronomical community. During
 the workshop key areas of interest were defined, and potential Gaia

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The first workshop on Gaia Science Alerts, was held in June 2010 in
+The [[Workshop2010:main|first workshop on Gaia Science Alerts]], was held in June 2010 in
 Cambridge. We introduced the Science Alerts concept to a broad group
 of scientists from the international astronomical community. During
 the workshop key areas of interest were defined, and potential Gaia
 contributions to these fields were discussed in detail.
 The Gaia Science Alerts stream will be the first Gaia data released to
@@ Line 21: / Line 22: @@
 classify as many alerts as possible requires a dedicated network of
 telescopes and a well-organised team.  Now, with the Gaia launch so
-close, we are approaching a crucial point in time. We need to organise
+close (mid-2013), we are approaching a crucial point in time. We need to organise
 our teams, choose instruments and telescopes, construct observing
-proposals, and prepare the community for the influx of Gaia alerts. A
+proposals, and prepare the community for the influx of Gaia alerts. This meeting is the best way to achieve our primary goals:
 * Familiarisation of potential observers and research groups with Gaia and its alerting system, and the specific requirements of verification.
-* A plan of the detailed scope of the alerts verification phase, including how long it should last
+* Prepare a plan of the detailed scope of the alerts verification phase, including how long it should last
 * Selection of likely telescopes and instruments
 * Identification of key people who will assist with verification
@@ Line 35: / Line 34: @@
 ----
 During the interactive workshop we plan to bring together:
-* Experts on the Gaia mission, including Gaia Science Alerts
+* Experts on the Gaia mission, including Gaia Science Alerts team
 * People responsible for telescopes around the globe
 * Astronomers experienced with observations of transient phenomena

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 * Selection of likely telescopes and instruments
 * Identification of key people who will assist with verification
-* Confirmation of the scientific requirementss for the follow-up of Gaia alerts, e.g. in the area of supernovae or cataclysmic variables
+* Confirmation of the scientific requirements for the follow-up of Gaia alerts, e.g. in the area of supernovae or cataclysmic variables
 * Discussion of technical issues related with alert dissemination and follow-up feedback