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NewAthena Science Community (NASC)
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Description
Notice: current members of the NewAthena Science Community don't need to apply for this call! However, if they want to change their membership, they should be able to modify their Indico registration and request a membership change. Just access the link provided in the Indico email of your registration, with Subject:"[Indico] Registration for NewAthena Science Community (NASC) - AO - 2025". Should you have any problems, please contact ACO.
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 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 will have a transformational impact on most areas of modern astrophysics. Its performance is an excellent match for large ground-based and space-borne observational facilities 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 mission science case. 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 optimisation 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 Special Issue on the NewAthena science case, to promote the mission at various events, to engage in public outreach, and to act as ambassadors for NewAthena.
The NASC is organised 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 the 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.
- Membership lasts until Adoption, after which a new scientific advisory structure for NewAthena will be appointed. Members can revoke their membership at any time by emailing the ACO.
**This is NOT a competitive process, anybody willing to contribute to NewAthena’s successful adoption is welcome!**
Frequently Asked Questions and full document for the scope and structure of the NewAthena Science Community.
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