Dear ARC 3.5m Telescope users: We have been discussing the possible formation and funding possibilities of a US mid-sized telescope system in the 3.5m users committee for the past several months. The goal of the ReSTAR committee described below is to provide the NSF with science justification for supporting small-mid sized telescopes (ie 1m-5m aperture) in the next decade. Depending on future instrumentation needs, new partners, etc., the 3.5m Telescope community may well want to take advantage of federal funding opportunities for instrumentation and operations support. Therefore, I urge you to visit the ReSTAR website listed below, and to fill in the web form describing your mid-sized telescope science programs. I serve as a liason to the ReSTAR committee from ACCORD (AURA Coordinating Council of Observatory Research Directors), and am happy to discuss and bring forward particular issues from the 3.5m community. Feel free to contact me directly, as well as filling out the web form. Suzanne Hawley Director, ARC 3.5m Telescope Apache Point Observatory -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Colleague, The NSF Senior Review underscored the community's strong desire to maintain or increase access to small and mid-sized telescopes. NOAO and NSF are working to apply significant resources to realize this goal, but first, we need to understand what scientific capabilities are desired and how much of each. The ReSTAR (Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research) committee has been charged to answer those questions, and seeks your advice on ground-based optical and infrared facilities needed now and in the future. This email is soliciting your input. Please look at the committee's website (http://www.noao.edu/system/restar/) and read the background material. Discuss the issues related to the use of small and mid-sized telescopes, many of which are identified in the committee's meeting notes, with colleagues. Use the web form to tell us what types of instruments and observing modes will be most important for your research. Your input will guide the evolution of NOAO's program and the investment of NSF resources. Thank you, Todd Boroson, NOAO Director Caty Pilachowski, Chair, ReSTAR committee APO APO APO APO APO Apache Point Observatory 3.5m APO APO APO APO APO This is message 1031 in the apo35-general archive. You can find APO the archive on http://www.astro.princeton.edu/APO/apo35-general/INDEX.html APO To join/leave the list, send mail to apo35-request@astro.princeton.edu APO To post a message, mail it to apo35-general@astro.princeton.edu APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO