The SOFIA NASA Observatory and Program Assessment Council (SNOPAC) was convened in 2015 to provide to SOFIA Program Office independent perspectives and fact-finding results regarding the development and execution of the SOFIA science mission from the viewpoint of the astronomical community. The community input provided by the SNOPAC, a non-consensus group, included neither intentionally consensus advice nor recommendations on Program priorities to the government. The primary function of the SNOPAC was to articulate the range of candid perspectives that were reflective of the U.S. science community regarding the SOFIA Observatory’s science merit, operation efficiencies, level of overall science impact to astrophysics, and other activities and issues relevant to SOFIA and to the U.S. science community in particular. The SNOPAC did not impose requirements on, make decisions for, or direct the SOFIA program. The SNOPAC was not privy to non-public information regarding the SOFIA program. Disbanded as of December 31, 2022.
SNOPAC Members (as of November 2017)
Andy Harris (University of Maryland) – interim chair
Jay Lockman (NRAO)
John Nousek (PSU)
Lisa Storrie-Lombardi (JPL)
Michael Werner (JPL)
Meetings
SNOPAC Meeting #1 , October 13, 2016
SNOPAC telecon held on October 13, 2016.
SNOPAC #1 Agenda
SNOPAC #1 Report
SNOPAC Meeting #2, February 7, 2017: Presentations and Report
SNOPAC Meeting #3 , June 16, 2017
SNOPAC telecon held on June 16, 2017.
SNOPAC #3 Agenda
SNOPAC #3 Report
Meeting, November 14-15, 2017 (joint with SIS)