Maximizing LSST's Scientific Return: Ensuring Participation from Smaller Institutions

TL;DR

This paper discusses strategies to ensure smaller and under-resourced institutions can effectively participate in LSST, maximizing its scientific impact across the entire astronomical community.

Contribution

It highlights the challenges faced by smaller institutions and proposes solutions to promote inclusive access and participation in LSST data utilization.

Findings

Identifies barriers for smaller institutions in LSST data use

Proposes support mechanisms for under-resourced institutions

Emphasizes inclusive strategies to enhance scientific return

Abstract

The remarkable scientific return and legacy of LSST, in the era that it will define, will not only be realized in the breakthrough science that will be achieved with catalog data. This Big Data survey will shape the way the entire astronomical community advances -- or fails to embrace -- new ways of approaching astronomical research and data. In this white paper, we address the NRC template questions 4,5,6,8 and 9, with a focus on the unique challenges for smaller, and often under-resourced, institutions, including institutions dedicated to underserved minority populations, in the efficient and effective use of LSST data products to maximize LSST's scientific return.