The Future of Small Telescopes in the New Millennium: Volume I - Perceptions, Productivities, and Policies Volume II - The Telescopes We Use Volume III - Science in the Shadows of Giants

This three-volume set, The Future of Small Telescopes in the New Millennium details the essential roles that small telescopes should play in 21st century science and how the most productive future for them can be realized. Over 70 experts from all corners of the international astronomical community have created a definitive reference on the present and future of big science with small telescopes . Despite highly publicized closures of telescopes smaller than 4-m in aperture at national facilities and their omission from national science priority studies, the oft-lamented demise of the small telescope has been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the future of these workhorses of astronomy will be brighter than ever if creative steps are taken. The volumes in the set define essential roles small telescopes should play in 21st century science and the ways by which a productive future for them can be realized. Volume one of the set, begins with a summary of contemporary national scientific priority-setting efforts and then examines public and professional perceptions and misconceptions of small telescope productivity. These shape the future science that will do with telescopes smaller than 4-m in aperture and the number of astronomers that will have access to them. Volume two highlights how small facilities are evolving to meet the scientific priorities and economical realities of the 21st century via standardization of instrumentation, off-the-shelf technology, specialization, optical improvements, new modes of scheduling, automation, and Internet access. Volume three explores a broad selection of scientific initiatives, from planetary astronomy to cosmology, that are ideally suited for small telescopes.