ELSA Mid-Term Review meeting Coordinator's report

Transcription

1 ELSA Mid-Term Review meeting Coordinator's report Lennart Lindegren Lund Observatory 1. Scientific report (20 min + questions) 2. Networking report (20 min + questions) Break (30 min) 3. Training report (20 min + questions) 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 1 of Scientific report Quick overview of ELSA Gaia a uniquely European enterprise Objectives of ELSA Achievements Conclusions 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 2 of 30

2 ELSA: European Leadership in Space Astrometry FP6 Research Training Network (RTN) Duration Oct Sep 2010 Links 14 partners in 12 countries Coordinated by Lund Observatory, Sweden Currently employs 10 postgraduate students (ESR) 5 postdocs (ER) Strong connections to the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) Research topics: global methods of space astrometry instrument modelling numerical analysis applications data processing applications 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 3 of 30 What is Gaia (1/4)? The satellite 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 4 of 30

3 What is Gaia (2/4)? The programme Observing programme: all point sources brighter than magnitude ,000,000 stars 1000,000 galaxies 500,000 quasars 300,000 asteroids 10,000 extrasolar planets (by indirect method) Data products: Positions, proper motions and parallaxes (distances) typical accuracy 20 micro-arcsec (magnitude 15) Low-resolution spectroscopy (temperatures etc) Spectroscopic radial-velocity measurements Data releases: Intermediate releases (partial, preliminary data): Final, complete results data base: February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 5 of 30 What is Gaia (3/4)? A European project Very accurate optical measurements of stellar positions, proper motions and parallaxes (astrometry) can only be made globally from space The ESA satellite Hipparcos ( ) pioneered space astrometry (accuracy ~0.001 arcsec, 10 5 stars, global) Some astrometry is also made with the Hubble Space Telescope (accuracy ~0.001 arcsec, ~10 2 stars, local) The ESA satellite Gaia ( ) is the ambitious follow-up mission (accuracy ~ arcsec, ~10 9 stars, global) No comparable US mission: Space astrometry remains a uniquely European specialty 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 6 of 30

4 What is Gaia (4/4)? Organisation European Space Agency National Agencies EU - FP6 ESA project Manager/Team ESA Project Scientist Data Processing Research Training Network Prime Contractor Gaia Science Team Sub -contractors Scientific Community The Gaia People Finder lists some 500 people (excluding industry) 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 7 of 30 Objectives of ELSA From the Description of Work (shortened, key words emphasized): 1. Study the principles of astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic measurements from a self-calibrating space platform like Gaia, and characterize errors and limitations 2. Model in detail the output signal from Gaia, including the effects of radiation damage of the CCD detectors 3. Study the numerical behaviour of the very large systems of equations that appear in the Gaia data analysis (stability, error propagation, convergence, efficient computation) 4. Apply advanced methods of data processing and management, numerical methods and statistics to these problems in a contribution to the Gaia data processing system 5. Train the next generation of researchers in space astrometry and transfer experience from the Hipparcos project and early Gaia studies 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 8 of 30

5 Recruited researchers (fellows) Experienced Researchers (ERs), 2 year postdoctoral positions Dr. Ummi Abbas INAF/Torino Dr. Alex Bombrun Heidelberg Dr. Paola Re Fiorentin Ljubljana Dr. Daniel Risquez Leiden Dr. Michael Weiler Paris Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), 3(+1) year postgraduate (PhD) positions Ms. Maya Belcheva Athens Ms. Maria Czekaj Barcelona (25 months) Mr. Aidan Fries Barcelona (10 months) Mr. Berry Holl Lund Ms. Dagmara Oszkiewicz Helsinki Ms. Ester Pasquato Brussels Mr. Thibaut Prod'homme Leiden Ms. Tenay Saguner INAF/Padova Mr. Luca Santoro CNRS/Nice (23 months) Mr. Mihály Váradi Geneva 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 9 of 30 Research projects of the recruited fellows Training Astrophysical modelling: Resolved stellar populations in other galaxies Refining the Universe model in the Gaia simulator Stellar brightness asymmetries Synthetic and observed stellar spectra Tests of new input physics in stellar atmosphere models Modelling the Gaia instrument: Modelling radiation damage effects in Gaia CCDs Gaia Point-Spread Function modelling for simulations Improved attitude modelling for Gaia Global astrometric solution: Characterization of astrometric errors Alternative astrometric solution methods for Gaia Gaia Sphere Reconstruction Numerical, statistical and computational tools: High-performance computing Variability in large photometric surveys Statistical asteroid orbit computation Automatic classification and astrophysical parameter estimation 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 10 of 30

6 Achievements relative to objectives (1/4) Objective 1: Study the principles of astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic measurements from a self-calibrating space platform like Gaia, and characterize errors and limitations Achievements: A flexible software package (AGISLab) for simulating intermediate Gaia data is under development first version available since October 2008 has been used to find more efficient solution methods predicting times of observation for variability detection and analysis astrometric effects of stellar surface structures astrometric effects of weak microlensing by halo stars Limitations of Gaia observations under special conditions are studied e.g. resolved stellar populations in the Magellanic Clouds 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 11 of 30 Achievements relative to objectives (2/4) Objective 2: Model in detail the output signal from Gaia, including the effects of radiation damage of the CCD detectors Achievements: Charge Transfer Inefficiency due to radiation damage is modelled theoretically and empirically physical model of charge trapping and release formulated framework for simulations has been set up Monte Carlo simulations have been made, producing realistic results collaboration with e2v Centre for Electronic Imaging for detailed CCD properties collaboration with groups in Cambridge and Torino for analysis of laboratory test data macroscopic model tested as part of Gaia simulator Results and projected developments are very promising This activity will be important for achieving the full accuracy of Gaia 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 12 of 30

7 Achievements relative to objectives (3/4) Objective 3: Study the numerical behaviour of the very large systems of equations that appear in the Gaia data analysis (stability, error propagation, convergence, efficient computation) Achievements: Using AGISLab, a number of significant results has already been obtained: the non-feasibility of a direct astrometric solution has been demonstrated the Conjugate Gradients method has been tested and found to give drastically improved convergence of the astrometric solution This activity will improve the computational efficiency of the DPAC astrometric solution 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 13 of 30 Achievements relative to objectives (4/4) Objective 4: Apply advanced methods of data processing and management, numerical methods and statistics to these problems in a contribution to the Gaia data processing system Achievements (examples): On-going work to refine the Gaia Universe Model (Milky Way, Magellanic Clouds) contributes to DPAC/CU2 (Data simulations) Ideas developed in AGISLab have been incorporated in the DPAC astrometric core processing, leading to simplifications and improved efficiency contributes to DPAC/CU3 (Core processing) Advanced methods for asteroid orbit determination developed and tested contributes to DPAC/CU4 (Object processing) Methods for detection and period determination for variable stars developed and tested contributes to DPAC/CU7 (Variability processing) Machine-learning algorithms for classification and astrophysical parameterization studied using ground-based spectroscopic surveys contributes to DPAC/CU8 (Astrophysical parameters) 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 14 of 30

8 Achievements in numbers Participation of ESRs and ERs in meetings (up to 1 Jan 2009) Type No. of meetings No. of participations Network meetings 2 27 DPAC meetings External conferences etc Presentations and publications by ESRs and ERs (up to 1 Jan 2009) Type Number Oral presentations by fellows 41 Poster presentations by fellows 16 Refereed journal papers (co-)authored by fellows 12 Conference proceedings (co-)authored by fellows 5 DPAC technical notes (co-)authored by fellows February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 15 of 30 Conclusions Good progress has been made towards all four research objectives of ELSA Research projects cover many different topics, but they are all highly relevant to the scientific preparations for the ESA Gaia mission The projects are well integrated into DPAC activities In several areas they already provide important input to DPAC More detailed examples are given in the presentations by four ESRs: Spatial distribution of stellar populations in the Magellanic Clouds by Maya Belcheva (ESR in Athens) Asteroid orbital inversion using statistical methods by Dagmara Oszkiewich (ESR in Helsinki) Theoretical and empirical modelling of radiation damage effects on Gaia CCDs by Thibaut Prod'homme (ESR in Leiden) Small scale simulations of the Gaia astrometric solution by Berry Holl (ESR in Lund) 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 16 of 30

9 2. Networking report Methodological approach Collaboration in practice Conclusions 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 17 of 30 Methodological approach Overall approach: Recruitment of ESRs and ERs to host institutes within the Consortium ( Training) Secondment of recruited researchers to other institutes within the Consortium Network-wide schools and workshops (the science of Gaia, software engineering, numerics, statistics and modelling) Development, dissemination and use of common tools and methodologies, including good and uniform programming practices Interaction with the industrial partner in key areas of technology Intimate collaboration with DPAC Key research methodologies: Adapting existing methods from classical astronomy, statistics, numerical analysis, physical modelling, and software engineering Use of parallel and distributed processing Computer simulations of Gaia and the Universe it will observe Learning from real data, such as archive data from other missions and laboratory test runs of CCD devices 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 18 of 30

10 Collaboration in practice (1/4) Short visits and secondments Fellows are strongly encouraged to engage in collaborative projects by spending time at other institutes within the network An successful example is the collaboration on CCD radiation damage developed between the institutes in Cambridge, Leiden, Lund, Paris and Torino: during 2008, three ELSA fellows spent together >4 months in Cambridge participation also by non-elsa students from Cambridge and Torino co-located meetings of the DPAC Radiation Task Force a set of joint publications is being drafted Use of common tools and uniform programming practices DPAC provides a common framework for programming and information exchange: Java has been adopted as programming language GaiaTools is a common toolbox of useful routines programming guidelines, tutorials, workshops are given Subversion (SVN) Repository stores software and documents GaiaWiki is used for collection and dissemination of information 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 19 of 30 Collaboration in practice (2/4) Interaction with the industrial partner in key areas of technology Dutch Space (a Leiden-based EADS Astrium company) is the only non-university partner in ELSA. It contributes expertise on Grid computing and CCD technology: tutorial on Grid computing at the ELSA School Nov 2007 CCD Modelling Workshop organised Jan 2009 (19 participants) involvement has been slow to develop Indirect contacts with other companies/branches EADS Astrium (France) on laboratory tests of Gaia CCDs e2v (CCD manufacturer in UK) on CCD modelling CCD calibration expert at ESA Intimate collaboration with DPAC All ELSA fellows are affiliated to one of the DPAC Coordination Units (CU) access to documentation, software, GaiaWiki,... ELSA fellows regularly attend DPAC meetings (31 participations in 20 meetings) Several of the research projects are DPAC work packages 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 20 of 30

11 Collaboration in practice (3/4) Adapting existing methods from classical astronomy, statistics, numerical analysis, physical modelling, and software engineering Ideas and application examples are spread via workshops and topical meetings: ELSA Workshop on Software Engineering and Numerics (Sept 2008) several advanced Java workshops (DPAC) CCD Modelling Workshop (Jan 2009) ELSA School on the Techniques of Gaia (Sept-Oct 2009) Fellows work in the environment of a large, professionally managed research and development project access to expertise beyond what individual institutes can provide Use of parallel and distributed processing Topic covered by several workshops Access to GaiaGrid and high-performance computing (including one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe) 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 21 of 30 Collaboration in practice (4/4) Computer simulations of Gaia and the Universe it will observe Nearly all the research projects use large-scale simulations of Gaia and its instruments, or of the objects it will observe Much common ground for collaboration, since simulation packages can be re-used and adapted for new applications AGISLab is a good example: it was developed to study the global astrometric solution but (parts of it) has been used for several other purposes: predicting the times of observation for variable stars observation of special objects (weak microlensing events,...) visualization of Gaia scanning law investigate the discovery probability of supernovae Learning from real data, such as archive data from other missions and laboratory test runs of CCD devices Ground-based survey data (2MASS, SEGUE, RAVE, ) are used for refining simulation models and as training data for machine learning Access to unique laboratory test data on radiation-damaged CCDs (Astrium) 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 22 of 30

12 Conclusions On the whole, networking has been rather successful Being part of DPAC has fostered collaboration Strong collaborations are built around some specific problems But: Not all partners are equally involved Short visits and secondments are not as frequent or as long as originally foreseen 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 23 of Training report The training and transfer of knowledge programme Recruitment status Use of budget to date Projections until the end of the contracts 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 24 of 30

13 Schedule of main training events February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 25 of 30 Annual network-wide meetings Past 1. ELSA School on the Science of Gaia Leiden, Nov participants, including 13 ELSA fellows 19 invited lecturers Lectures, student exercises, poster presentations and discussions 2. ELSA Workshop on Software Engineering and Numerics Barcelona, 1-5 Sept participants including 14 ELSA fellows Day 1-2: Presentations by all ELSA fellows, feedback (group and individual) on presentation techniques by invited specialist Day 3-5: 13 invited lectures 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 26 of 30

14 Annual network-wide meetings Future 3. ELSA School on the Techniques of Gaia Heidelberg, 28 Sept 2 Oct 2009 Ca 50 participants (TBC), including 15 ELSA fellows Invited lecturers Shorter presentations by all fellows, lectures, Astrometry, technichal challenges of Gaia, project overview, mission operations 4. ELSA Conference: Gaia At the Frontiers of Astrometry Paris, 7-11 June 2010 Ca 150 participants (TBC), including current and past ELSA fellows International conference presenting the status of the project, results obtained in the network, complementary theoretical tools and ground-based work, and related missions 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 27 of 30 Recruitment status 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 28 of 30

15 Recruitment status ER ESR Sum Total according to contract Dec 2008 (contract) Dec 2008 (actual) Total projected (334.5*) 444 (458.5*) * If projected surplus can be used to extend existing contract 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 29 of 30 Budget projection Note: Projected total cost A+B+C+D+E is 61k less than calculated in contract 2009 February 2 ELSA Mid-Term Review: Coordinator's Report (Lindegren) 30 of 30