This ACURA/CASCA Advisory Committee on the SKAO (hereafter ACACS) advises ACURA, CASCA and National Research Council (NRC) on the needs of Canadian astronomers during the construction and operation phases of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), including the SKA Regional Center for Canada.
Members of the ACACS include astronomers from the CASCA community. While
the main emphasis of ACACS will be to provide science-based advice, it will also participate
in the articulation of technical and strategic goals for Canada’s role in the SKAO, and advise
ACURA, CASCA and NRC on their substance and means of attainment. The goals of the
ACACS are to:
- Provide advice to ACURA and CASCA on the current state of the SKAO;
- Provide advice to NRC on issues related to SKAO activities in Canada upon requests;
- Act as a conduit for consulting with and informing the Canadian Astronomical community about
the state of the SKAO, future SKAO technical and scientific goals, and observing models; - Encourage and promote Canadian scientific participation and leadership in the SKAO;
- Advise on technical requirements that support Canadian scientific ambitions; and,
- Provide assistance to the CASCA Long-range Plan Committees.
To achieve the above broad goals, the ACACS will:
- Meet regularly to offer guidance to ACURA, CASCA and NRC as requested or deemed
necessary; - Invite representatives as needed to its meetings to ensure coherence in the messaging,
and provide feedback; - Coordinate, review, and discuss SKAO activities within universities, facilitating the
establishment of working groups or other internal collaborative initiatives as necessary; - Help promote the SKAO within Canadian universities in conjunction with NRC;
- Identify potential resources to support future elements of the Canadian SKAO program;
- Organize regular community town-halls (or electronic equivalents) to inform and solicit
feedback from the Canadian astronomical community.
AACS
Prior to the establishment of the ACACS, the Canadian community monitored SKA activities through the ACURA Advisory Council on the SKA (AACS). See also SKA Canada.
AACS operated under terms of reference established by ACURA, and met 3-4 times per year.
The responsibilities of AACS include:
- Promoting and advancing Canadian participation in the SKA
- Ensuring Canadian scientific leadership in the SKA
- Coordination among universities, NRC and industry in SKA pre-construction and construction activities
- Advice on strategic development of SKA technology by Canadian industry