NewAthena Science Community (NASC) - AO - 2025

Feb 5, 2025, 8:00 AM → Mar 21, 2025, 5:00 PM Europe/Madrid

CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN EXTENDED!

(5 Feb 2025 - 21 Mar 2025)

 

Important note for members of the (current) Athena science community

Due to the GDPR of the European Parliament, members of the Athena science community must re-apply to the NASC. They shall not assume that their membership in the Athena science community can be transferred to the NASC without taking any actions. Responding to the ACO call for membership is mandatory to become a member of the NASC! 

 

 

Have a look to the FAQ (below) if you have doubts in the process.

 

NewAthena has been conceived as a powerful X-ray observatory with an unprecedented combination of collecting area, survey capabilities and energy resolution. It will be operated as an open observatory. Most of the observing time will be allocated through peer-reviewed proposals open to the worldwide astronomical community. Mission “Adoption” is planned for the first quarter of 2027. The launch is expected in 2037. The NewAthena science case and scientific capabilities are described in Cruise et al. (2024 Nature Astronomy) and references therein. 

NewAthena is posed to have a transformational impact on most areas of modern astrophysics. Its performance is an excellent match to large ground-based and space-borne observational facilities to be operational in the 2030s. NewAthena will also provide a key contribution to multi-messenger astrophysics in synergy with gravitational wave arrays and neutrino telescopes. 

The NewAthena Science Community (NASC) is the ensemble of scientists supporting the development of the science case of the mission. The NASC supports the NewAthena Science Study Team (NASST) by defining and maintaining the Science Requirement Document (SciRD), analyzing trade-offs affecting scientific performance, and setting calibration requirements for the scientific payload. They enhance the SciRD to adapt to evolving scientific landscapes while adhering to endorsed performance and cost boundaries. It also supports the NASST in the definition of synergy strategies with other facilities, in the optimization of the Mock Observing List (MOL) for the mission's 5-year lifetime, and in the preparation of the Definition Study Report (DSR). 

Additionally, NASC will have the opportunity to contribute to the Astronomy & Astrophysics Special Issue on the NewAthena science case, to promote the mission at various events, and to engage in public outreach, acting as ambassadors for NewAthena.

The NASC is organized into the following thematic Working Groups (WGs):

• Large-scale structure of the Universe
• Galaxies and supermassive black holes
• Stars and their environment
• Compact objects
• Transients and multi-messenger astrophysics
• Cosmology and fundamental physics
• Science Support

See document below for a full description of the WGs.

Scientists interested in joining the NASC can apply in response to annual announcements by the ACO:
 

• Membership is open to scientists at any career stage, including students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, research staff, retirees, and those in private enterprises involved in the NewAthena Study. 
• Applicants must express their motivation: one paragraph explaining how their research/technical interests align with those of the mission. 
  
• In principle, any applicants with research/technical interests aligned with the mission science and goals are eligible for membership.
• It is recommended to apply for a maximum of 2 WGs, but applying for more WGs would be considered if duly justified.
• The NASST reserves its right to reject an application providing a written justification and only under special circumstances. 
• Applicants should specify their desired level of involvement: 
  
  • SUPPORT MEMBER: supporting NewAthena and being informed but not participating in the WGs activities.
  • ACTIVE MEMBER: participating in the WGs activities.
  • CHAIR of WG: part of the leadership of a WG.
• Membership lasts until Adoption, after which a new scientific advisory structure for NewAthena will be appointed. Members can revoke their membership anytime via email to the ACO.

 **This is NOT a competitive process, anybody willing to contribute to NewAthena’s successful adoption is welcome!** 

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Frequently Asked Questions and full document for the scope and structure of the NewAthena Science Community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Full document for the scope and structure of the NewAthena Science Community

Wed, February 5

8:00 AM → 8:01 AM Call for NASC membership: Open call

Sun, March 16

2:59 PM → 3:00 PM Call for NASC membership: Deadline to respond to call