From the Director, Steven Kahn

As you know, construction of the LSST is a joint NSF/DOE effort to realize a facility that has been in design and development for more than ten years. Favorable budget news from Washington in March brings the project closer to a federal construction start. For NSF, we are expecting to receive the full amount requested for construction in FY14, and the FY15 President’s Budget Request lays out a funding profile consistent with our current plans, with a MREFC total project cost of $473M. The DOE budget provided in FY14 for the LSST Camera is also consistent with our planned funding profile with an estimated total project cost for the camera fabrication of $165M. The National Science Board will meet on May 6 to consider authorizing the NSF to make an award for construction, which is planned to start on July 1. Read more...

DES-LSST Joint Workshop

More than 100 participants took part in a Dark Energy Survey (DES) - LSST Joint Workshop at Fermilab on March 24-27, 2014. With the DES having officially begun survey operations on August 31, 2013, and the LSST making steady and impressive progress, lead organizers Zeljko Ivezic (LSST/UW) and Scott Dodelson (DES/FNAL) designed the workshop to provide a timely forum for people on both projects to share lessons learned and discuss future synergistic activities. Read more...

Michael Strauss: Science Collaborator, All-Star

Like so many of the talented people who joined LSST early, Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Chair Michael Strauss’ path to the Project was similar to that of a blue chip high school athlete committing to an elite college program. In 2006, Chief Scientist Tony Tyson, Project Scientist Zeljko Ivezic and now-Director Steven M. Kahn recruited Michael to define and lead the LSST Science Collaborations. Since then, he has been a Project all-star, liaising between LSST and the broader scientific community by leading the SAC and Science Collaborations, spearheading the writing and editing of the 598 page LSST Science Book, and serving on the LSST Corporation (LSSTC) Executive Board.

As chair of the LSST SAC, Michael sees his primary responsibility as juggling the tension between the huge range of different science that LSST enables and the need to keep the Project focused on the construction phase schedule and budget. The SAC advises the LSST Director on matters of science policy, interaction with the broader scientific community, and scientific impact of construction decisions. As an LSSTC board member, he has also been involved in negotiations with various potential foreign partners who wish to contribute to LSST during operations. Read more...

Mario Juric Wins 2014 AURA Science Award

Mario Juric, the LSST Data Management Project Scientist has been awarded the 2014 AURA Science Award. The award recognizes Mario as an intellectual leader of the astronomical community, who contributes not only through his individual research, but also by enabling scientific research by others. Mario has played a crucial role in helping to prepare the LSST Data Management System (DMS) for an anticipated construction start. Read more...

Meet Your LSST Science Advisory Committee (SAC)

The first face-to-face meeting of the LSST Science Advisory Committee (SAC) took place at Princeton University on April 7, 2014. This committee provides a two-way connection between the LSST Project Office and the external science community served by LSST. Meetings will occur monthly (by phone) and twice a year in person. Minutes of all meetings including presentations will be distributed through the LSST website; input from the community is strongly encouraged by contacting the committee members. Read more...

LSST Project Office Welcomes Two New Employees

Glenaver Charles-Emerson (L) and Stefan Dimmick (R) joined the LSST Project Office in February and March respectively. As Administrative Assistant, Glenaver will be supporting the LSST team at NOAO, including the Telescope and Site, Data Management, and Systems Engineering groups. She brings a diverse skill set to LSSTPO with experience as an administrative professional in academic, finance, and medical settings. In addition to Tucson, she has lived and worked in Kansas, Guam, and her native England. Stefan will work alongside Iain Goodenow as IT Systems Administrator, supporting the ongoing development and maintenance of LSST computer systems. Stefan brings more than ten years of computer industry experience to LSST, starting as a Cryptologic Technician Operator in the United States Navy. He has an undergraduate degree in Business Information Systems (BSB/IS) and a graduate degree in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS). He also brings thorough knowledge and expertise in network structures, policies, and disaster recovery processes.

These individuals bring considerable skill and experience to the LSST Project Office - welcome aboard Glenaver and Stefan!

LSST 2014 Workshop Scheduled

The LSST 2014 Project and Community Workshop is scheduled for August 11-15, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. LSST 2014 will be similar to the All Hands Meetings held in the past with emphasis on project/community interaction and cross-subsystem technical topics. NOAO and LSST will concurrently host a workshop on the LSST cadence during the week; Communications and EPO issues will be emphasized through another meeting thread. The Phoenix location should make travel easier for attendees and provide an abundance of restaurants within walking distance of the meeting hotel.

Justine Haupt (BNL/LSST) Named Design News 2014 Rising Engineering Star

Design News magazine has named Brookhaven National Laboratory/LSST engineer Justine Haupt as 2014 Rising Engineering Star. The magazine’s editors selected Justine for her work designing test systems for LSST’s focal plane components. She was chosen from an impressive slate of candidates including engineers working on underwater robotic fish, smart glasses software, and prosthetic limbs. She is the second person to receive the honor. Design News senior editor Rob Spiegel said, “Justine is impressive in her range of excellence. She has strong engineering skills, but she also gives back to her professional community.”

The Brookhaven National Laboratory’s communication group has written an excellent article about Justine’s award