NASA Senior Review input

[Michael Arida <arida@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov>]

To all HEASARC Users,

As part of NASA's regular assessments of Mission Operations and Data 
Analysis Activities there is a senior review every 2 yrs. The 2000 
Senior review will include an assessment of the science usefulness of 
six multi-mission data archive centers including the HEASARC. The 
senior review call will use the following guidelines to assess the 
HEASARC:

(1)	In the context of the science goals and objectives described 
in the Space Science Enterprise Strategic Plan, rank the scientific 
merits (for science archives, rank the science usefulness) - on a 
"science per dollar" basis - of the expected returns from the 
programs reviewed during 2001 and 2002

(2)	Assess the cost efficiency, technology development and 
dissemination, data collection, archiving and distribution and 
education/outreach as secondary evaluation criteria, after science 
merit.

We request YOUR help to write the HEASARC proposal. In particular we
would like examples of science results that have been enabled by the
HEASARC i.e. those that would not have happened without the presence
of this multi-mission archive center. Think back to the late 1980s
when each mission was archived in a unique way, with minimal support
and a variety of formats. Now think about how the situation is quite
different today. Good examples would include results that utilize
several missions, access to large volumes of data, analysis that were
only possible using the HEASARC multi-mission tools (XSPEC, XIMAGE,
XRONOS, FTOOLS, FV, PIMMS, Skyview etc), common data formats,
immediate ftp data access, the web site, the Browse archive interface,
and the resident science expertise. We also would like to include
examples of FUTURE science that will be possible with the HEASARC
e.g. when the new data from Chandra, XMM-Newton, HETE-2, INTEGRAL,
Swift and GLAST data are combined with the existing archive.

You can help by:

1) Telling us about papers which highlight HEASARC enabled science.

2) Writing a paragraph on that science result or future potential

3) Giving us comments on the HEASARC services and how they have 
helped you improve your science.

4) Any thoughts you have for future improvements in service, or new 
initiatives you think the HEASARC should undertake.


Please send your inputs to the HEASARC help line at:

request@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov

by April 4 at the latest. The proposal is due May 1!

Thank you
Nick White
HEASARC Director.


A service of the
High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC)

NASA/GSFC
Questions or comments should go to request@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov