US sets new priorities in Antarctic research
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029112
Science : Suggestions for streamlining the US Antarctic program over the next decade have been set out in a new report commissioned by NSF. The need to streamline is being driven by budget constraints and rising infrastructure costs. To that end, the report focuses on three major research initiatives: to look at the Antarctic ice-mass loss and how it contributes to global sea-level rise, to study the unique life-forms in the Antarctic and how they survive and adapt to the extreme conditions there, and to further investigate the cosmic microwave background through the use of a family of telescopes in Chile and at the South Pole. The overall goal is to focus on the most compelling science issues that also encourage partnerships between NSF and other agencies and international partners.