Context
Exoplanet observations have played a major role in HST’s science program over the last decade. During that period, the proposal pressure for exoplanet observations has increased significantly in proportion to pressure from other disciplines. After consultation with the Space Telescope Users Committee, the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Director, Ken Sembach, has decided to constitute an advisory committee to explore the scientific priorities in exoplanet research and to provide advice on future strategies for implementing exoplanet science programs with HST. Committee members will be drawn from the exoplanetary science community.
Charter
The Exoplanet Advisory Committee is charged with the following primary tasks:
- Review the evolution of HST usage by the exoplanetary community and match against factors such as changes in the time allocation process and in instrument capabilities;
- Solicit input from the community on the role that HST can play in exoplanet science and on methods for allocating observing programs;
- Investigate potential mechanisms to coordinate HST observational programs with priorities among the exoplanet science community;
- Identify key exoplanet observations that should be obtained by HST for legacy science and/or in preparation for JWST.
The committee will summarise its conclusions in a report to the Director and an associated presentation to the STUC in early 2016.
Constituted
August 2015
Membership
Chair: Drake Deming (Maryland)
Members: Zachory Berta-Thompson (MIT), Nicolas Cowan (McGill), Jonathan Fortney (UCSC), Eliza Kempton (Grinnell), Heather Knutson (Caltech), Leslie Rogers (Chicago), David Sing (Exeter)
Report and STUC presentation
May 2016 Exoplanet AC report - final.pdf
STUC presentation May 2016 D. Deming
