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An Overview of the INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo Giuseppe S. Vaiana December 2007

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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 Presentation
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S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation An Overview of the INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo Giuseppe S. Vaiana December 2007
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Page 1: 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

An Overview of the INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo

Giuseppe S. Vaiana

December 2007

Page 2: 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”

Page 3: 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

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

Page 4: 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

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

Page 5: 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

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

Page 6: 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

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

Page 7: 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

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

Page 8: 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

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

Page 9: 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

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

Page 10: 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

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

Page 11: 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

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

Page 12: 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

XVI-XVII Century 150 XVIII Century 860 XIX Century 600

Page 13: 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

Museo della Specola: Official Opening in March 2001

Page 14: 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

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

Page 15: 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

Page 16: 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

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

Page 17: 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

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

Page 18: 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

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

Page 19: 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

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

Page 20: 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

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

Page 21: 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

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)

Page 22: 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

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)

Page 23: 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

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.

Page 24: 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

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

Page 25: 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

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

Page 26: 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

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 ...)

Page 27: 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

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

Page 28: 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

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

Page 29: 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

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)

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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

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S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007S. Sciortino – Visiting Committee Presentation Decembre 2007

The End

and

Thanks for all your effort


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