an overview of the inaf, osservatorio astronomico di palermo giuseppe s. vaiana december 2007
DESCRIPTION
An Overview of the INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo Giuseppe S. Vaiana December 2007. SOME FUNDAMENTAL “MOMENTS”. 1790 Observatory Foundation 1923 Reduction to Univ. Observ. 1988 Again National Observatory Always hosted in Palazzo dei Normanni (Pisana Tower). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
An Overview of the INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo
Giuseppe S. Vaiana
December 2007
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
1790 Observatory Foundation1790 Observatory Foundation1923 Reduction to Univ. Observ.1923 Reduction to Univ. Observ.1988 Again National 1988 Again National ObservatoryObservatoryAlways hosted in Palazzo dei Always hosted in Palazzo dei Normanni (Pisana Tower). Normanni (Pisana Tower). The spaces shared with The spaces shared with Astronomy Section of DSF&A are Astronomy Section of DSF&A are OVERCROWDED (Sept. 2002 OVERCROWDED (Sept. 2002 Earthquake)Earthquake)
A NEW A NEW BUILDINGBUILDINGIS NEEDEDIS NEEDED
SOME FUNDAMENTAL “MOMENTS”SOME FUNDAMENTAL “MOMENTS”
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Programs & Projects 2004-2007
Instrumentation for Instrumentation for Optical/IR Optical/IR Spectroscopy forSpectroscopy forLarge TelescopesLarge Telescopes
Physics of Young Stellar Physics of Young Stellar & Planetary Systems, & Planetary Systems, & Young Pop. & Young Pop.
ExperimentalExperimental AstroBiologyAstroBiology
Instrumentation for Instrumentation for X-ray Astronomy: X-ray Astronomy: Filters, Optics, Filters, Optics, DetectorsDetectors
Physics of the Sun Physics of the Sun and solar-like and solar-like starsstars
Algorithms for Algorithms for Analysis of Analysis of Astronomy DataAstronomy Data
High Perfomance High Perfomance Calculation & Calculation & Applications to Applications to Astrophysical PlasmaAstrophysical Plasma
SNRs and SNs andSNRs and SNs and
interaction with ISMinteraction with ISM
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Context of OAPA Research Activities
Univ. Chicago: Univ. Chicago: FLASH PROJECTFLASH PROJECTCINECA/INAF: CINECA/INAF: KEY PROJECTSKEY PROJECTSCOMETA CONS:COMETA CONS: PI2S2PI2S2
INAF Res. Struct.INAF Res. Struct. & Community& Community
CfA: CHANDRA/HRCCfA: CHANDRA/HRCESA: CV ProposalsESA: CV ProposalsESA/ASI: XMM/EPIC ESA/ASI: XMM/EPIC PROG. PON & PRIN/COFINPROG. PON & PRIN/COFIN
ESO: FLAMES, ESO: FLAMES, XSHOOTERXSHOOTERWith OtherWith OtherINAF Res. INAF Res. Structures Structures
INAF Res. Struct.INAF Res. Struct.European Collab.European Collab.
ESA/NASA/ASI:ESA/NASA/ASI:SOHO UVCSSOHO UVCSCFA/NASA:CFA/NASA:XRT/HINODEXRT/HINODEYOHKOHYOHKOHTRACETRACE
COFIN/PRINCOFIN/PRININAF/PRIN INAF/PRIN MARIE CURIE UEMARIE CURIE UEFellowhipsFellowhipsINT PROGs.: COUP, INT PROGs.: COUP, N1893 N1893 (Chandra)(Chandra)XEST, DROXO,XEST, DROXO,ORION A (XMM)ORION A (XMM)
INAF Res. Struct.INAF Res. Struct.International International CollaborationsCollaborations
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
PERSONNEL: 2000 - 2007 PERSONNEL: 2000 - 2007
2 Chair (Ordinari) [but one busy in Rome] 2 Chair (Ordinari) [but one busy in Rome]
3 Senior (Associati), 8 “Junior” (Ricercatori) =>3 Senior (Associati), 8 “Junior” (Ricercatori) => 13 13 Support Personnel: 5 Administration, 2 Library, 3 Computer Services,Support Personnel: 5 Administration, 2 Library, 3 Computer Services, 3 Laboratory Support, 4 Building Maintenance & Gen. Support => 3 Laboratory Support, 4 Building Maintenance & Gen. Support => 1717 INAF Associate : 1 Ordinario Prof., 2 Associati Prof. == >INAF Associate : 1 Ordinario Prof., 2 Associati Prof. == > 3 3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
PERMANENT PERSONNEL@OAPA+Astr. Sect. DSFA
Support Staff
Associated Univ. Prof.
Researchers
YEAR
# U
NIT
OF P
ER
SO
NN
EL
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
2007: 3 Marie Curie Fellows, 2 OAPA Post-Docs, 2 UNIPA Post-2007: 3 Marie Curie Fellows, 2 OAPA Post-Docs, 2 UNIPA Post-Docs, 5 Grad. Students, 3 COMETA Contracts, 3.5 OAPA Docs, 5 Grad. Students, 3 COMETA Contracts, 3.5 OAPA Contracts,1 assigned to OAPA for the Museum ==>Contracts,1 assigned to OAPA for the Museum ==> 19.5 19.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
TEMPORARY PERSONNEL@OAPA+Astr. Sect. DSFA
Pub. Out. & Museum (assigned to OAPA)
Support Staff
Marie Curie Fellow
Post-Doc (OAPA & DSFA)
Graduate Student (DSFA & OAPA)
Fellow./Contract.
YEAR
# U
NIT
OF P
ER
SO
NN
EL
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Criticalities:Criticalities: -) Activities & Projects -) Activities & Projects mustmust “involve” temporary personnel “involve” temporary personnel or Graduate Students ... with too limited perspective toor Graduate Students ... with too limited perspective to “ “stabilize” some of them and their competencesstabilize” some of them and their competences
-) Too few technical/scientific personnel to devote to key-) Too few technical/scientific personnel to devote to key scientific/technological programsscientific/technological programs
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70PERSONNEL@OAPA+Astr. Sect. DSFA
Temporary
Associated Univ. Prof.
Permanent
YEAR
# U
NIT
OF
PER
ON
NE
L
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS ARE COVERED ONLY BY IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS ARE COVERED ONLY BY TEMPORARY STAFF OR ARE LEFT “UNCOVERED” TEMPORARY STAFF OR ARE LEFT “UNCOVERED” (e.g. Secretary, Personnel Handling, etc.)(e.g. Secretary, Personnel Handling, etc.)
ADMINISTRATIVE LOAD TOO HIGH. VERY LIMITED (IF ADMINISTRATIVE LOAD TOO HIGH. VERY LIMITED (IF ANY) HELP FROM CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION. ANY) HELP FROM CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION. AS OF AS OF TODAY NO REAL CENTRALIZED SERVICE IS TODAY NO REAL CENTRALIZED SERVICE IS WORKINGWORKING (for SALARIES, PENSIONS, CAREERS,ETC.).(for SALARIES, PENSIONS, CAREERS,ETC.). AT THE SAME TIME A “TOO STRINGENT” REMOTE AT THE SAME TIME A “TOO STRINGENT” REMOTE “BUROCRATICAL” CONTROL HAS BEEN ATTEMPED “BUROCRATICAL” CONTROL HAS BEEN ATTEMPED
CRUCIAL IS THE IMPOSSIBILITY TO PLAN THE USE OF CRUCIAL IS THE IMPOSSIBILITY TO PLAN THE USE OF FUNCTIONING (including “FREE RESEARCH”) RESOURCES FUNCTIONING (including “FREE RESEARCH”) RESOURCES OVER MORE THAN ONE YEAROVER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
FURTHER CRITICAL ELEMENTSFURTHER CRITICAL ELEMENTS
STILL, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORKSTILL, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORK
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
OAPA Organization - 2007OAPA Organization - 2007DIRECTION (without secretary)DIRECTION (without secretary)
Administrative Administrative OfficeOffice (1 Responsible, (1 Responsible, 4 staff +1 t.p.)4 staff +1 t.p.)
OAPA STAFF OAPA STAFF (& Associate (& Associate DSF&A Prof.)DSF&A Prof.) LibraryLibrary
(1.5 staff)(1.5 staff)
General & Maint. General & Maint. Services (4 staff) Services (4 staff)
Public OutreachPublic Outreach (0.2 staff + 2 t.p. (0.2 staff + 2 t.p. + other ext. supp.)+ other ext. supp.)
Computer System Computer System for Research & for Research &
AdministrationAdministration (3 staff)(3 staff)
Machine Shop & Machine Shop & LaboratoriesLaboratories
(3 staff + ~ 1 t.p.)(3 staff + ~ 1 t.p.)
RESEARCH RESEARCH PROGRAMSPROGRAMS13 + 3 Researches,13 + 3 Researches,5 + 2 Post-Docs,5 + 2 Post-Docs,5 Graduate 5 Graduate StudentsStudents
RREESSPPOONNSSIIBBLLEESS
XACT: X-RayXACT: X-Ray
Astrobiology Lab.Astrobiology Lab.
SCAN: Par. Calc.SCAN: Par. Calc.
3 YEAR PLAN & 3 YEAR PLAN & YEARLY BUDGETYEARLY BUDGET
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Resources for ~ 20 support staff, 30 researchers, 10 students. Redundancy for high availability, extensive centralized services, and support.
“Standard” Computer System & HPC Parallel System (+ COMETA Parallel System)
~ 120 accounts, ~70 workstations, ~ 10 gen. purp. servers
State-of-art LAN
COMPUTERCOMPUTERSYSTEMSYSTEM
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Library OAPA-INAF and DSFA-UNIPA books and journals
jointly managed
Current and historical (up to 1960) sections
1650 monographes (up to 1830), ~ 6000 monographes (from 1960), > 1000 “journal” titles (since 1740), ~ 70 current journals
OAPA Library grows at the rate of bigger INAF research structures (~100 monographes/year). Annual cost similar to that of Brera and Padua Observatories
Quite remarkable historical collection, and historical archive.
Most of info available through the OAPA WWW site
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
XVI-XVII Century 150 XVIII Century 860 XIX Century 600
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Museo della Specola: Official Opening in March 2001
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Public Outreach and Museum related activities
Guided Visits, > 5000 visitors/year, 90% are students
Agreement with Town government for a program of free visits in 2006
Exhibitions Local Small/Charme Museum WEB
Networks Conferences
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Human Resources DistributionHuman Resources Distribution (in person-months)(in person-months)
8 8 InterconnectedInterconnected Research LinesResearch Lines or Projects or Projects + Public Outreach + Public Outreach & Museal Activity& Museal Activity
Available Human Resources (2007)
Researchers (231)Support staff (226)Graduate Students(35)Associate Prof. (18)
Staff 11 month/year, Graduate Student 5 month/year, Staff 11 month/year, Graduate Student 5 month/year, Associate Prof. 6 month/yearAssociate Prof. 6 month/year
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Human Resources forHuman Resources forResearch Line/ProjectResearch Line/Project
Human Resouces distribution for research line or project
Physics of Stellar and Planetary Systems
Solar Coronal Physics
SNR's Physics Scient./Techn. Research for X-ray Astr. Instrum.
Optical Instrumentation for Large Telescope
HPC and Information Techn.
Experimental Astrobiology History of Astronomy
Where appropriate human resources include techniciansWhere appropriate human resources include technicians
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
FUNDS: 2000 – 2007FUNDS: 2000 – 2007
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
Funds vs. Compulsory Expenses:
Salaries, Utilities, Rents, Library
FFO (incl. residue)FFOCompulsory ExpensesExpenses on FFO
YEAR
EU
RO
(x
1000)
CHANGE OF BUDGETCHANGE OF BUDGETSTRUCTURESTRUCTURE
Residuals due to planned, but Residuals due to planned, but not done expenses: mostly for not done expenses: mostly for expected salary increases expected salary increases
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Available Funds @OAPA
Non-FFOFFO (no salaries)Perm. Staff Salaries
YEAR
EU
RO
(x1
00
0)
FUNDS: 2000 - 2007FUNDS: 2000 - 2007
PERMANENTPERMANENTSTAFF SALARIESSTAFF SALARIESON “CENTRAL”ON “CENTRAL”FUNDSFUNDS
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
FUNDS: 2000 - 2007FUNDS: 2000 - 2007
ASI FUND CRISE EXPLAINS THE “2003 VALLEY”ASI FUND CRISE EXPLAINS THE “2003 VALLEY”
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
non-FFO/FFO(with salaries & residue) Fund Ratio
YEAR
non-F
FO
/FFO
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70
1
2
3
4
5
6
non-FFO/FFO(with residue & no-salaries) Fund Ratio
YEAR
non-F
FO/F
FO
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
FUNDS: 2000 - 2007FUNDS: 2000 - 2007
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Available non-FFO FUNDS@OAPA
PI2S2@COMETAOtherINAF/Tech. TransferINAF/PRININAF/XshooterCNAA -> INAFPublic OutreachUE Marie CurieMIUR PRINMIUR Special Prog.MIUR PONCNRSicily Reg, Gov,ASI
YEAR
EU
RO
(x1
00
0)
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
RESOURCE USE: 2000 - 2007RESOURCE USE: 2000 - 2007
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
FUND USE (except salary) 2000 - 2007
PI2S2@COMETA Building ProgramMeeting and ExbitionPublic OutreachResearch ExpencesResearch Expences (FFO)Hardware (FFO)LibraryUtilities, and Basal ServicesLaboratory Space Rent
YEAR
EU
RO
( x
1000)
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
Rented Spaces (650 sq. m.)
Laboratories
Machine Shop
Offices
Open-Space
Museum
Library
Meeting Room
Other
Laboratories
Machine Shop
Offices
Open-Space
Museum
Library
Meeting Room
Other
Palazzo dei Normanni (955 sq.m.)
TOGETHER WITH TOGETHER WITH DSF&ADSF&AASTRONOMY SECTIONASTRONOMY SECTION
People in 201? (OAPA+IASF/PA)People in 201? (OAPA+IASF/PA)T.D. + T.I. ~ 80T.D. + T.I. ~ 80Graduate Students ~ 6 Graduate Students ~ 6 Undergraduate ~ 6Undergraduate ~ 6Students in stage ~ 6Students in stage ~ 6Visitors ~ 4 TOTALE 102Visitors ~ 4 TOTALE 102““Office” Spaces 2000 sq.m.Office” Spaces 2000 sq.m.AVERAGE PER PERSON ~ 20 sq.m.AVERAGE PER PERSON ~ 20 sq.m.
SPACES: TODAY & TOMORROWSPACES: TODAY & TOMORROW
Total Available Spaces as of today (1605 sq. m.) Laboratories
Machine Shop
Offices
Open-Space
Museum
Library
Meeting Room
Other
TOGETHER WITH TOGETHER WITH DSF&ADSF&AASTRONOMY SECTIONASTRONOMY SECTION
People at OAPA (2007)People at OAPA (2007)T.d. + T.i. ~ 45T.d. + T.i. ~ 45Graduate Students ~ 5 Graduate Students ~ 5 Undergraduate ~ 4Undergraduate ~ 4Students in Stage ~ 4Students in Stage ~ 4Visitors ~ 2 TOTAL 60Visitors ~ 2 TOTAL 60““Office” Space 590 sq.m.Office” Space 590 sq.m.AVERAGE PER PERSON ~ 9 sq.m.AVERAGE PER PERSON ~ 9 sq.m.
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS: 2004-2007MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS: 2004-2007
3 EU MARIE CURIE PROGRAMS3 EU MARIE CURIE PROGRAMS
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO XACT (->PON-1)MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO XACT (->PON-1)
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MACHINE SHOP (-> PON-1)MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MACHINE SHOP (-> PON-1)
1 TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER PROGRAM (-> PRISMA/MEF)1 TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER PROGRAM (-> PRISMA/MEF)
NEW PARALLEL COMPUTER FOR OAPA/SCAN (-> REG. SIC.)NEW PARALLEL COMPUTER FOR OAPA/SCAN (-> REG. SIC.)
BIG PARALLEL COMPUTER IN PALERMO (->PI2S2/COMETA) BIG PARALLEL COMPUTER IN PALERMO (->PI2S2/COMETA)
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERNAL NETWORK & MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERNAL NETWORK &
COMPUTER SYSTEMCOMPUTER SYSTEM (-> PON-2) (-> PON-2)
SOLAR & NIGHT OBSERVATION PROGRAMSOLAR & NIGHT OBSERVATION PROGRAM
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
MAJOR SCIENCE PROJECTSMAJOR SCIENCE PROJECTS PARTICIPATON TO PARTICIPATON TO CHANDRACHANDRA/HRC (1988 -> )/HRC (1988 -> )
PARTICIPATION TO EPIC of XMM-PARTICIPATION TO EPIC of XMM-NEWTON NEWTON (1989 -> )(1989 -> )
SIMBOL-X (Hard X-Ray Imaging Mission) (2005 -> 2013+)SIMBOL-X (Hard X-Ray Imaging Mission) (2005 -> 2013+)
XEUS (2002 -> SELECTED ESA CV FOR STUDY -> 2020+ )XEUS (2002 -> SELECTED ESA CV FOR STUDY -> 2020+ )
XSHOOTER x VLT (2002 -> 2008+)XSHOOTER x VLT (2002 -> 2008+)
HPC KEY PROJECTS INAF/CINECA (2003 ->)HPC KEY PROJECTS INAF/CINECA (2003 ->)
PI2S2 (i.e. GRID/HPC) @COMETA (2005 -> 2008+)PI2S2 (i.e. GRID/HPC) @COMETA (2005 -> 2008+)
PARTICIPATION SOHO-UVCS (1989 -> )PARTICIPATION SOHO-UVCS (1989 -> )
PARTICIPATION XRT/HINODE [Launch 2006] (2002->)PARTICIPATION XRT/HINODE [Launch 2006] (2002->)
PARTICIPATION TO SOLAR ORBITER (2007 ->)PARTICIPATION TO SOLAR ORBITER (2007 ->)
MICRO-CALORIMETERS for X-RAY Astronomy (1999 ->)MICRO-CALORIMETERS for X-RAY Astronomy (1999 ->)
KEY CHANDRA & XMM-Newton Projects on Star FormationKEY CHANDRA & XMM-Newton Projects on Star Formation
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
MARIE CURIE UE PROGRAMS “Interplay between coronae and ...”: 3 Post Docs
ISHERPA: 3 Post Docs, 2 Sen. Scient. Ext. Visits
PHOENIX: 2 Post Docs
CONSTELLATION Network: 1 Post Doc
COMIS Network: 1 Graduate Student
These programs are a key way for enlarging & strengthening OAPA research themes as well for reinforcing the European (& International) connections of OAPA scientists. We have recruited 2 from Spain, 1 from France, 1 from Germany, 1 from Argentina, 1 from Austria, 2 from USA, 1 from Russia, 2 from UK. More to come (we hope ...)
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
INDICATORS OF “EFFICIENCY”/SCIENTIFIC IMPACTINDICATORS OF “EFFICIENCY”/SCIENTIFIC IMPACT Yearly average over years 2004-2006Yearly average over years 2004-2006
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS REFEREED PUBLICATIONS 3838
INVITED TALK INVITED TALK 7 7
Participation to Nat./Inter. Committee, TAC, etc.:Participation to Nat./Inter. Committee, TAC, etc.: 5 5
SPIE PUBLICATIONSSPIE PUBLICATIONS 5 5
Non-FFO/FFONon-FFO/FFO Funds Funds 1,2 -- 3,5 1,2 -- 3,5
Laurea Theses (with DSF&A, Informat., Engin.)Laurea Theses (with DSF&A, Informat., Engin.) 2,52,5
Ph.D. Theses (with DSF&A)Ph.D. Theses (with DSF&A) 2,5 2,5
StagesStages (including non-Italian students) (including non-Italian students) 6--86--8
Univ. Course (apart professors) 1,5Univ. Course (apart professors) 1,5
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
OAPA - PLUSESOAPA - PLUSES Research Lines focussed along a well defined “field of Research Lines focussed along a well defined “field of
view”, but with a reasonable articulation view”, but with a reasonable articulation
All the activities or projects are part of anAll the activities or projects are part of an ItalianItalian network network (MIUR-PRIN, INAF-PRIN), (MIUR-PRIN, INAF-PRIN), EuropeanEuropean (e.g. XMM- (e.g. XMM- Newton, Newton, X-Shooter, UE Marie-Curie) and X-Shooter, UE Marie-Curie) and InternationalInternational (e.g. (e.g. Chandra, XRT/HINODE, XEUS, Key/Large Space Chandra, XRT/HINODE, XEUS, Key/Large Space Projects) Projects)
Strong synergy among the activities of OAPA and those Strong synergy among the activities of OAPA and those of the Astronomy Section of DSF&A of UNIPA.of the Astronomy Section of DSF&A of UNIPA.
Interactions with IASF/PA researchers on projects of Interactions with IASF/PA researchers on projects of common interest (Simbol-X, Ultra-light X-ray Mirrors, common interest (Simbol-X, Ultra-light X-ray Mirrors, PI2S2)PI2S2)
A very diffuse collaborative attitude A very diffuse collaborative attitude
Personnel of high professionalismPersonnel of high professionalism
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
OAPA - CRITICALITIESOAPA - CRITICALITIES Lack of enough spaces to pursue all the activities in Lack of enough spaces to pursue all the activities in
adequate operative conditions. adequate operative conditions.
Notwithstanding the ample synergy among the research Notwithstanding the ample synergy among the research lines, often activities are limited by available man-power lines, often activities are limited by available man-power ( (“fortunately” we have the Marie Curie Post-Docs“fortunately” we have the Marie Curie Post-Docs). ).
Workload on some sectors (administrative office, Workload on some sectors (administrative office, technical support to laboratories) is above the guard technical support to laboratories) is above the guard level. The lack of a well defined sharing of responsibility level. The lack of a well defined sharing of responsibility between center and structures and of between center and structures and of qualifiedqualified services services by central administration is a serious problem.by central administration is a serious problem.
A crucial part of the strategic activities (R&D, A crucial part of the strategic activities (R&D, technological projects) are seriously hampered by the technological projects) are seriously hampered by the lack of financial resources for covering running costs lack of financial resources for covering running costs (since 2004) and new hardware costs (since 2006)(since 2004) and new hardware costs (since 2006)
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
ISSUES FOR THE NEAR FUTUREISSUES FOR THE NEAR FUTURE Adequate Financial Resources to cover the growth of Adequate Financial Resources to cover the growth of incompressible running costs, to the basal research, to incompressible running costs, to the basal research, to “amplify” resources through participation to “co-funded” AOs “amplify” resources through participation to “co-funded” AOs
Space Astrophysics future and, more specifically, the future of Space Astrophysics future and, more specifically, the future of R&D activities ? R&D activities ? Typical 2 year funding programs not well Typical 2 year funding programs not well suited for multi-annual (at least 4-5 year) R&D projects suited for multi-annual (at least 4-5 year) R&D projects (Solution attempted: Italy-China FIRB Proposal for 5 years)(Solution attempted: Italy-China FIRB Proposal for 5 years)
Improvement/Increasing of Human Resources: Improvement/Increasing of Human Resources: FORMATION & RECRUTING PLAN, PEOPLE CAREARSFORMATION & RECRUTING PLAN, PEOPLE CAREARS
Realization of the new building, and moving of research Realization of the new building, and moving of research activities there.activities there.
Upgrade of the agreement with UNIPA (within the new INAF-Upgrade of the agreement with UNIPA (within the new INAF-Universities national framework agreement). Special attention Universities national framework agreement). Special attention to young people education and Ph.D. program to young people education and Ph.D. program
S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007
The End
and
Thanks for all your effort