A bridged position second-tier search in Observational Cosmology is nearing completion. On the new requests, C8R comments (p. 3): ``It is our view that the plan put forward by the DA is a well justified response to the challenges posed over the next five years, and may even be considered modest in view of the many exciting opportunities afforded by the rapid growth in the discipline.'' Compared to the new requests in the draft plan, all of which were analysed favorably by C8R (p. 5), the list below is increased by position 6. This is a somewhat more aggressive response to the recommendations of the five-year DA review and is in complete accord with clear national needs (§ 2.5.2) and plans for the DDIAA (§ 2.7). See the 2004 complement summary in Table 4.
C8R, p. 5: ``This [Origins, § 2.5.1] is the burgeoning area of modern astronomy and there will be substantial investments in new facilities by the Canadian Space Agency and the National Research Council of Canada... There is enormous international interest in this field.'' In particular, these three positions will be extremely important in allowing us to make effective use of the large national investment in these facilities (Gemini, ALMA, NGST, Planck/FIRST). New faculty will also be attracted by our investment in private access to a large telescope (Magellan). They make key contributions to our new core curriculum at both levels (§ 2.5.1).
1. Star Formation. One of the outstanding questions in astrophysics, involving molecular clouds, bi-polar outflows, feedback with the interstellar medium, and stellar clusters.
2. Extrasolar Planetary Systems. Detection and properties of planets around other stars. Why are other solar systems so different from our own?
3. Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium. Physical properties of the gas and dust which is the reservoir for new star formation and the debris from dying stars. Includes interstellar matter in other (young) galaxies, chemical evolution, astrobiology, astrochemistry, and intergalactic matter.
Our five-year review and LRPP highlight instrumentation (§ 2.5.2) as a critical area in which Canadian universities have less than adequate strength. Yet this is an area of ever-growing importance to our research and for the career success of our graduate students. The Astronomical Instrumention Specialists and Experimental Astrophysicist will take advantage of the major new funding flowing in the next decade into space projects ($80M) and ground-based optical/infrared and radio telescopes ($150M).
4. Astronomical Instrumentation Specialist for Ground-based Astronomy. Leadership in instrumentation for Gemini, ALMA, and Magellan (§ 2.5.5).
5. Computational Astrophysicist. Research and teaching on modeling, simulation, and data mining, some of the most demanding computing problems in the physical sciences. Facilitated by and taking advantage of the powerful parallel computing facilities that DA and CITA have built up through NSERC and PSciNet (CFI); see § 2.5.3 and § 3.1. Will offer courses of interest to A&A, Computer Science, and MPC students, both undergraduate and graduate. Preliminary discussions have been had on establishing joint positions with Computer Science.
6. Astronomical Instrumentation Specialist for Space-based Astronomy. Leadership in instrumentation for the new world-class observatories, NGST and Planck/FIRST.
7. Experimental Astrophysics (joint with Physics). Reinforces new field just started in collaboration with Physics (§ 2.5.4). Required closer to end of planning period, which lowers priority.
8. Modern Stellar Astrophysicist. The field of stellar astrophysics has evolved dramatically since we made our last appointment about 20 years ago, and calls for a new person keyed to replacing core teaching and research strength lost to retirement in 2004. Enables fuller participation in the rapidly developing new techniques and facilities. Complements Star Formation.