1. Key Issues and Today’s Goals
March 2017 SAC Meeting
Key Issues and Today’s Goals

2. Key Issues raised by the SAC in August 2016
Timeline for final decision on observing strategy
The observing strategy is never final; Andy Connolly and Zeljko Ivezic will discuss a target timeline for deciding on an initial baseline cadence.
At five and a half years before the ten year survey begins, we are working on a balance between giving community information needed for community planning (e.g. early declaration of some DDFs), and resisting making statements that we cannot deliver.
We are planning a flexible approach so LSST’s Observing Strategy can adapt to our evolving knowledge of both the system and of science opportunities.

3. Key Issues raised by the SAC in August 2016
Timeline for developing the Operations Simulator is unclear
The Project holds detailed schedules for Schedule and OpSim development, but have not exposed those to the community before now. Andy Connolly will discuss a best-case scenario timeline (see discussion on staffing shuffle).
Metrics may not represent the breadth of the science community’s interests
Beth will discuss the suggested role of the SAC itself in addressing this question
How will decisions about survey strategy be made
Zeljko Ivezic and Andy Connolly will discuss this

4. Key Issues raised by the SAC in August 2016
Deficiency of existing metrics to measure the impact of specific cadences on DDF science
Lack of simulations of 2011 DDF proposals
Working on the efficiency and science impact of the wide-fast-deep footprint is the Project’s priority. Over the coming year, the Project will assess DDFs on a best-effort basis.
Timing and Process for Selecting DDF Cadences and/or Additional DDFs
Andy Connolly will discuss this after lunch
Plans for Commissioning Data Release
Provided a summary document. Will discuss in the afternoon.

5. Goals from the Project for this SAC meeting
Observing Strategy React to discussion of DDFs, mini-surveys, Director’s Discretionary time Advise on prioritization of limited resources to devote to software development, generating simulations, and synthesizing results – with focus on the wide-fast-deep survey footprint Advise on - What are the most important things about the observing strategy the community must know to prepare for LSST, and exactly when (ideally) should these things be known? Discuss suggested roles of the SAC in reading the Community White Paper, and in reacting to the breadth of science representation

6. Goals from the Project for this SAC meeting
Commissioning Data React to commissioning plans Endorse the commissioning data policy React to the commissioning review feedback, that relates to the SAC and community