Abstract
This report provides detailed findings on the critical laboratory astrophysics data needs that are required to maximize the scientific return for NASA's current and near-term planned astrophysics missions. It also provides prioritized rankings on said laboratory astrophysics data, generally by waveband. The Report is based on community input gathered at the 2018 NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop (LAW) from presentations, from discussions during workshop breakout sessions, and from other solicited input deemed appropriate by the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) obtained prior to and after the meeting. Hence, the Report is a direct reflection of the spirit and participant make-up of LAW 2018. The Report also outlines specific opportunities and threats facing NASA's Laboratory Astrophysics Program, and articulates concrete actions by which the Agency can capitalize on the opportunities and mitigate the challenges. The Report was prepared by the SOC, with help from some invited speakers, and input and review from community members.
Highlights
The Report is based on community input gathered at the 2018 NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop (LAW) from presentations, from discussions during workshop breakout sessions, and from other solicited input deemed appropriate by the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) obtained prior to and after the meeting
There are large uncertainties on currently available dielectronic recombination (DR) rates, for elements beyond the second row of the periodic table. - Calculations of collisional rate coefficients are needed to interpret SOFIA and future James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of the fine-structure emission lines of atomic ions (e.g. [Fe II] 26 μm; [N II] 205 μm, etc. with SOFIA), which are an important diagnostic of, for example, active galactic nuclei (AGN) and star-forming environments. - Gaps still exist in the measured and calculated photoionization cross sections, a parameter critically needed for interpreting data from NASA missions from the UV to the far IR (FIR)
Molecules in astrophysical environments span from simple diatomics, to complex organic molecules (COMs), to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)
Summary
This report provides detailed findings on the critical laboratory astrophysics data needs that are required to maximize the scientific return for NASA’s current and near-term planned astrophysics missions. It provides prioritized rankings on said laboratory astrophysics data, generally by waveband. The Report is based on community input gathered at the 2018 NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop (LAW) from presentations, from discussions during workshop breakout sessions, and from other solicited input deemed appropriate by the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) obtained prior to and after the meeting. Due to the upcoming preparations for the 2020 Decadal Survey (DS) for Astronomy and Astrophysics, an Appendix is included summarizing meeting discussions to solicit laboratory astrophysics community input. The Report was prepared by the SOC, with help from some invited speakers, and input and review from community members
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