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25 Oct 2014
Dr. Craig Kulesa
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
Dear Craig,
I acknowledge that I am identified by name as a collaborator on the
investigation entitled 'Continued Development of the HEAT telescope at
Ridge A' that is being submitted by Dr. Craig Kulesa in response to NSF
Program Solicitation 14-1 (Advanced Technologies & Inst.), and that I intend
to carry out all responsibilities identified for me in this proposal. I
understand that the extent and justification of my participation as stated
in this proposal will be considered during peer review in determining in
part the merits of this proposal.
The development of the PLATO-R observatory supporting the HEAT
telescope at Ridge A was funded by the Australian Federal Government
with a $500k grant to my research group. UNSW, Astronomy Australia
Limited, and the Australian Antarctic Division, have since contributed in
excess of $300k directly and in-kind. We have provided 2-3 scientists and
engineers to assist with the work at Ridge A each year, and we also
remotely operate the PLATO-R observatory.
The HEAT project—operating a state-of-the-art THz telescope at a deep
field site 950km from South Pole—is an extraordinary achievement. The
quality of the data returned has demonstrated the exceptional qualities
of the Ridge A site. This new NSF proposal represents an exciting jump
in capabilities for HEAT, and I am pleased to reaffirm the commitment of
my research group to working on the project.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Michael Ashley