HEP and Astrophysics
HEP has very publicly embraced the scientific "inner space - outer space" connection in the last few years. Are we living up to that emphasis in our actual deployment of resources? Should we?
How are we doing in actually learning how to cross the boundaries between accelerator-based experiments and more astrophysical experiments? Have you succeeded in making this transition? Are the funding agencies supportive of groups attempting to juggle both "conventional" and astrophysics/cosmological ventures? Are we too far in one direction? Not enough? Just right?
Comments
There are several astrophysics projects with significant HEP participation, including some (DES, LSST, SNAP) with no "conventional" particle physics component at all. These projects show that the culture gap between astronomy and physics is bridgeable; it's smaller than many fear.
The funding agencies are only now beginning to come to terms with what appears to be a sea change in the direction of HEP research. I think that they need to become more supportive of this, if HEP is not to stagnate.
Posted by: Jon Thaler | October 31, 2006 05:43 PM