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Preprint (Author's original)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Preprint
Science-Driven Optimization of the LSST Observing Strategy
arXiv.org
14 Aug 2017
Abstract
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is designed to provide an unprecedented optical imaging dataset that will support investigations of our Solar System, Galaxy and Universe, across half the sky and over ten years of repeated observation. However, exactly how the LSST observations will be taken (the observing strategy or "cadence") is not yet finalized. In this dynamically-evolving community white paper, we explore how the detailed performance of the anticipated science investigations is expected to depend on small changes to the LSST observing strategy. Using realistic simulations of the LSST schedule and observation properties, we design and compute diagnostic metrics and Figures of Merit that provide quantitative evaluations of different observing strategies, analyzing their impact on a wide range of proposed science projects. This is work in progress: we are using this white paper to communicate to each other the relative merits of the observing strategy choices that could be made, in an effort to maximize the scientific value of the survey. The investigation of some science cases leads to suggestions for new strategies that could be simulated and potentially adopted. Notably, we find motivation for exploring departures from a spatially uniform annual tiling of the sky: focusing instead on different parts of the survey area in different years in a "rolling cadence" is likely to have significant benefits for a number of time domain and moving object astronomy projects. The communal assembly of a suite of quantified and homogeneously coded metrics is the vital first step towards an automated, systematic, science-based assessment of any given cadence simulation, that will enable the scheduling of the LSST to be as well-informed as possible.
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Details
- Title
- Science-Driven Optimization of the LSST Observing Strategy
- Creators
- LSST CollaborationsPhil MarshallTimo AnguitaFederica BiancoEric BellmNiel BrandtWill ClarksonAndy ConnollyEric GawiserZeljko IvezicLynne JonesMichelle LochnerMichael LundAshish MahabalDavid NideverKnut OlsenStephen RidgwayJason RhodesOhad ShemmerDavid TrillingKathy VivasLucianne WalkowiczBeth WillmanPeter YoachimScott AndersonPierre AntilogusRuth AngusIair ArcaviHumna AwanRahul BiswasKeaton BellDavid BennettChris BrittDerek BuzasiDana Casetti-DinescuLaura ChomiukChuck ClaverKem CookJames DavenportVictor DebattistaSeth DigelZoheyr DoctorR FirthRyan FoleyWen-fai FongLluis GalbanyMark GiampapaJohn GizisMelissa GrahamCarl GrillmairPhillipe GrisZoltan HaimanPatrick HartiganSuzanne HawleyRenee HlozekSaurabh JhaC Johns-KrullShashi KanburVassiliki KalogeraVinay KashyapVishal KasliwalRichard KesslerAlex KimPeter KurczynskiOfer LahavMichael LiuAlex MalzRaffaella MarguttiTom MathesonJason McEwenPeregrine McGeheeSoren MeibomJosh MeyersDave MonetEric NeilsenJeffrey NewmanMatt O'DowdHiranya PeirisMatthew PennyChristina PetersRadoslaw PoleskiKara PonderGordon RichardsJeonghee RhoDavid RubinSamuel SchmidtRobert SchuhmannAvi ShporerColin SlaterNathan SmithMarcelles Soares-SantosKeivan StassunJay StraderMichael StraussRachel StreetChristopher StubbsMark SullivanPaula SzkodyVirginia TrimbleTony TysonMiguel de Val-BorroStefano ValentiRobert WagonerW Wood-VaseyBevin Zauderer
- Publication Details
- arXiv.org
- Publisher
- Cornell University Library, arXiv.org; Ithaca
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Physics; Pharmacology and Physiology
- Other Identifier
- 991019201216104721