The first report, Ground-Based Astronomy: A Ten-Year Program, was released in 1964. The authoring committee was chaired by Albert Whitford. The report recommends construction of national observing facilities, including especially mid-sized ground-based optical telescopes.
Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1970s, 1972
The second report, Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1970s, was released in 1972. The committee was chaired by Jesse L. Greenstein. It recommends priorities for both space- and ground-based programs, and was instrumental in the eventual construction of the Very Large Array.
Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980s, 1982
The third report, Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980s, was released in 1982. The committee was chaired by George B. Field. It recommended the launch of the "Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility", which was realized in 1999 as the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It also identified construction of the Very Long Baseline Array as a priority.
The Decade of Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1991
The fourth report, The Decade of Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics, was released in 1991. The committee was chaired by John N. Bahcall. It recommended the launch of the "Space Infrared Telescope Facility", realized in 2003 as the Spitzer Space Telescope, the fourth and final in NASA's Great Observatories program.
Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, 2001
The fifth report, Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, was released in 2001. The committee was co-chaired by Christopher McKee and Joseph H. Taylor. It gives highest priority to the construction and launch of Next Generation Space Telescope, now known as the James Webb Space Telescope with launch planned for 2021. The report reaffirms the 1991 recommendation for the completion of the Millimeter Array, now part of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array international collaboration. It also examines the benefits of a robust astronomy research program to the nation, and expresses concern regarding the percentage of funding tied to a few large projects.
New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2010
The sixth report, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, was released in 2010. The committee was chaired by Roger D. Blandford. Recommendations for scientific questions to be answered include: the nature of dark energy; the structure, distribution, and evolution of exoplanetary systems; detailed examination of extreme processes including supernovae and the merger of superdense objects; and how galaxies and galaxy clusters formed from the early hot universe. The report also examines technical readiness, scheduling, and funding issues as well as basic science. The recommendations consider a range of funding scenarios based on projected budgets for the major funding agencies, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy. The top priorities identified by the report include:
Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope, a proposed ground-based telescope sensitive in the millimeter and submillimeter range. CCAT will survey young dusty star systems and galaxies, and serve as a companion to Atacama Large Millimeter Array at the same site.
