Cool Stars 14 - Submitted Abstract # 321
This version created on 05 October 2006

After hours special:  Large Community Projects for the Great
Observatories


Scott Wolk, Harvard/CfA

We are in a unique and limited period with three of the great
observatories functioning simultaneously.  There is the possibility
this year to propose for large allotments of telescope time from all
three observatories.  The issue of how to use this to the maximize the
science return for the stellar science has been discussed at focused
meetings in July 2005 and May 2006.  We concluded that one or more
proposals from the stellar community should be developed.  These are
community proposals in the sense that the data will be public and that
full community involment is solicited so that the proposal is as
strong as possible.  However these are also intended to be lead by a
PI with a full management plan.  The full community involvment will
help to ensure that the best available people are involved.  At the
Pasadena meeting we started with a group of ~20  people and ~10
ideas.  The goal of this larger effort is to produce 1-3 community
level proposals for the 2007 proposal season from the stellar
community targeted at the Great Observatories.  1- The primary goal of
Tuesdsay night is to identify a few proposals and recruit teams to
move them forward.  The timing of November ahead of Jan- March
deadlines is nearly ideal.  2- Another goal is to test out proposal
concepts in front of a critical audience which can identify weaknesses
and approaches and has a vested interest in your success since these
data (not the money) tend to be public.  I don't consider this too
competitive since the idea is that these projects require big teams.
Besides, if any one does steal your idea, there will be 400  witnesses
and several will undoubtedly end up on the TAC(s).  3- If you have a
big idea, but are having trouble identifying a team, there will be a
lot of possibilities in the audience.  Website:
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/twiki/bin/view/GreatObs/WebHome 

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