Einstein Probe Science Topical Panels

Science Topical Panels (STPs)

The STPs focus on selected science topics, with their activities coordinated by one Chair and up to two co-Chairs. The number of members of the STPs shall follow the 80-10-10% distribution between CAS, ESA, and MPE. The STP members appointed by ESA have been selected through an Announcement of Opportunity.

The following STPs are in place (more panels may be added at a later time if necessary):

  • STP1: Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs).
  • STP2: Fast extragalactic transients (including gamma-ray bursts GRBs and non-GRB transients).
  • STP3: Multi-messenger astronomy (synergies with gravitational wave events and with neutrino events).
  • STP4: Compact stellar objects (compact objects including stellar mass black holes, neutron stars, and/or white dwarfs in our Galaxy or in nearby galaxies; ultra-luminous X-ray sources).
  • STP5: Observatory Science (topics not included in the above panels, e.g., stellar flares, supernova remnants, diffuse emission, Solar System objects; may be split into various subpanels).
  • STP6: Follow-up observation activities (not a science panel, but rather a structure within the EPST; any STP members can be involved and contribute to the follow-up activities).

Remit of the Science Topical Panels:

  • Develop and promote the EP science case in the areas assigned to each STP.
  • Lead and/or participate in research projects by making use of EP observations and exploiting EP data. Collaboration among STPs is encouraged.
  • Conduct studies on scientific or technical aspects in support of EP.
  • Advice the SMC on observing strategies.
  • Propose to the SMC, and implement after approval, policies to coordinate the research programmes and to assign projects/data to the EPST members. The leadership of the projects will be assigned to guarantee the agreed share (i.e., 80% of the EP operational time is guaranteed to CAS, 10% to ESA, 10% to MPE).
  • Provide advice to the SMC on publication policies (including scientific paper authorship), data rights, duration of proprietary period, exploitation strategies, etc.
  • Monitor the scientific performance of the mission and evaluate the impact of any changes on the science return.
  • Identify and coordinate external facilities for triggers, follow-up and joint observations for each area of science (linked to STP6).
  • Comply with the rules and policies regarding the EP STP, data rights, and publication.
     

Science Topical Panel meetings