HEACIT Charter
July 22, 2021
Last updated: June 28, 2022
Science Context
The landscape of Astrophysical research is moving increasingly towards multi-wavelength observation and large datasets, requiring large collaborations and information sharing in order to achieve our best possible understanding of the Universe. At the same time, new science areas are opening due to the development of technologies and techniques for performing measurements with incredible precision (c.f., exoplanet observations, the Event Horizon Telescope, and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) and for new kinds of data analysis (such as AI/ML algorithms). The HEACIT (High Energy Astrophysics Codes, Interfaces, and Tools) collaboration is a self-appointed working group that seeks to identify how the landscape of astrophysical software enables or can improve the impact of high energy astrophysical data. This includes maximizing the return of current and future observations, as well as increasing their usability and interoperability with datasets at other wavelengths.
Mission Drivers
The majority of high energy spectroscopic data analysis hinges on the visualization and fitting of 1D histograms of X-ray data (0.1 - 150 keV), typically measured in instrument-specific ‘counts’. Time variability of these datasets is minimally addressed and has not yet converged on a standard tool or procedure. Next generation astronomical X-ray technologies include (1) the ability to obtain high resolution spectroscopic datacubes for a 2D image where each pixel is a spectrum, potentially time-variable, and (2) a factor of 3-50 increase in spectroscopic resolution. Further advances in X-ray instrumentation will also soon allow for the examination of X-ray polarization. All of these factors increase the size, complexity, and computational resources needed to interpret future datasets. HEACIT seeks to identify gaps in the current software landscape and encourage development of tools that will enable the maximal science return of next generation X-ray observatories.
Main Tasks
HEACIT members may lead white papers (cf., Chen et al. 2021), special conference sessions, or workshops regarding any of the above topics.
Organization
HEACIT will have a Chair and a Steering Committee consisting of the Chair and three other HEACIT members. The Chair will serve as a point of contact for the HEACIT and organize meetings. The Steering Committee will review membership applications and will have authoritative power in case of disputes or violations of the HEACIT rules of conduct.
The Chair is appointed by the Steering Committee members for a 2-year term. At the end of each 2-year term, the Steering Committee (minus the current Chair) can choose to renew the current Chair or select a new Chair.
There are no formal term limits on Steering Committee membership, although the expectation is that membership will be reviewed every three years. In the case of a Steering Committee member vacating their position, self nominations will be solicited from the HEACIT membership. Such nominations should include a brief explanation of why the individual wishes to join the Steering Committee of the HEACIT and what they’d bring to the Committee.
The inaugural Chair is Lia Corrales, and the inaugural members of the Steering Committee are Randall Smith, Michael Wise, and Tess Jaffe.
Individual tasks will be led by specified members of HEACIT, who will be responsible for managing the subgroup.
Rules of Conduct
• All group members agree to abide by the code of ethics and anti-harassment rules as set forth by the AAS, which has also been adopted for HEAD meetings. Incidents can be brought to any member of the Steering Committee. Violations can lead to a verbal warning or removal from HEACIT.
• All group members pledge to treat everyone interacting with the HEACIT community with respect. Discussions relating to pros/cons of various technologies, programming languages, and so on are welcome, but these should be done with respect, taking proactive measures to ensure that all participants are heard and feel confident that they can freely express their opinions. All group members agree not to promote or deride any particular software tools as inherently “better” or “worse” than others.
• HEACIT is not a research team unto itself. However, individual members may choose to collaborate and form research groups as a result of HEACIT discussions. Such collaboration is understandable and encouraged.
• Communication regarding HEACIT meetings and tasks will primarily be done via the HEACIT mailing list that will include all members and via a monthly telecon. Members are encouraged to take HEACIT discussions regarding specific software tools and problems to the forum (Task #4) so that the conversation can be publicly accessible, archived, and searchable.
• White paper authorship list: Any member of HEACIT is welcome and encouraged to lead white papers regarding topics discussed within the HEACIT group. In that case, it is recommended that the authors circulate the white paper draft to the HEACIT group to allow individual working group members a chance to sign onto the authorship list as endorsers. It is recommended that the lead and corresponding author be listed as the first author on the paper.
• HEACIT will have a shared Google Drive folder to facilitate information distribution. This site will be available to all members.
Membership Policy
Community members will be directly invited to become a HEACIT member by deliberation of the Steering Committee. Anyone can submit a nomination by notifying the Chair, who will provide the instructions to the nominee for applying for HEACIT Membership. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged; simply fill out the application form linked below. The application responses go directly to the Chair, who will then review it with the Steering Committee.
Applications for HEACIT Membership require the following:
• A statement that the applicant agrees to abide by the HEACIT Charter
• A description of the applicant’s scientific background, research interest and expertise, and expected/planned contribution to HEACIT
Link to the HEACIT Membership application form:
https://forms.gle/uhzTQgrwLpY3Y9My9
Updating the Charter
The Steering Committee is responsible for providing updates to the HEACIT Charter as needed to reflect any changes in the working group process or activities. At a minimum, the Charter will be reviewed and updated every three years. The latest date of review or revision is recorded at the top of the document.