• OPTICON Resolution 1: OPTICON endorses the scientific importance of an elite Europe-wide fellowship programme in astrophysics, and fully supports the efforts of P. Benvenuti to develop such programmes.

  • OPTICON Resolution 2: OPTICON recognises the scientific potential of efficient access to well-calibrated astronomical archive data across all wavelengths. OPTICON appoints an Archive Working Group to: define the minimum to optimal requirements for the scientific operability of an Archive as a research tool; review existing Archives against these requirements and issue a *scientific operability* certificate for those meeting them and advise others about necessary improvements; maintain a link with the EC AstroVirTel programme and recommend the development of new tools on the basis of the scientific requirements of its approved archival proposals; consider the financial implications when developing its recommendations. A goal of the WG is to develop a proposal for the EU to implement its recommendations. P Benvenuti, ST-ECF, is delegated as Chair.

  • OPTICON Resolution 3: OPTICON accepts the essential scientific and practical benefits resulting from cost-effective tools and standards for improving access to, and exchange and usage of, data archives and astronomical information services. OPTICON appoints an Interoperability Working Group to study the practical tools required for enhanced interoperability between distributed heterogeneous services, providing scientists with transparent navigational tools. F Genova, CDS Strasbourg, is delegated as Chair.

  • OPTICON Resolution 4: OPTICON accepts that enhancements in scientific productivity and operational efficiency may result from coordinated infrastructure developments, especially in forthcoming software systems. OPTICON appoints a common infrastructures working group, to consider the viability of joint developments in at least:
  • i. wide-field surveys;
  • ii. interferometry, in relation to the next generation of facilities (VLTI etc.);
  • iii. Multi-Object Spectroscopy;
  • iv. Adaptive Optics imaging and spectroscopy;
  • v. pipeline processing of data. ESO is delegated to nominate possible Chairs, in agreement with the OPTICON Chair.

  • OPTICON Resolution 5: OPTICON notes the changing role and scientific opportunities for medium size telescopes, and in particular the potential scientific and operational benefits of their coordination as a European-wide Large Scale facility. OPTICON appoints an Opportunities for Medium-sized Telescopes working group, to consider way in which coordinated operation can enhance efficiency and open access to extant facilities, with the goal to produce explicit plans and proposals for action.

  • OPTICON Resolution 6: OPTICON strongly supports and encourages developments of future large-scale astronomical facilities, in particular an extremely large optical/IR ground-based telescope. OPTICON establishes a Science Case for the Extremely Large Telescope WG, with a goal of developing a draft case by May 2001. The activity will be under the general overview of R. Gilmozzi (ESO), with the Chairman and A Renzini providing Europe-based joint support for the activities.

  • OPTICON Resolution 7: OPTICON fully supports the development by Drs Benvenuti, Genova and Quinn of a proposal, coordinated by ESO, to seek EU RTD funding for a study leading to a detailed implementation plan for the Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (AVO).

  • OPTICON Resolution 8: OPTICON resolves to establish a Working Group to investigate fields where EU RTD resources, in collaboration with industry, might help meet the technology requirements of the optical/IR programme in Europe. Members are asked to submit nominations for a chairman and membership to the OPTICON chairman who would establish the group.

    Return to OPTICON overview.

    John Keith Davies
    Astronomy Technology Centre, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ.
    jkd@roe.ac.uk
    tel: 0131 668 8348/ fax: 0131 668 8407

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    Last update, 1 February 2002