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 following STPs have been agreed (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.