Cosmic Visions Dark Energy: Small Projects Portfolio

TL;DR

This paper advocates for a diverse portfolio of small projects to complement major facilities like LSST and DESI, aiming to enhance dark energy research and accelerate scientific discoveries in cosmology.

Contribution

It proposes a balanced set of small projects combining observational, experimental, and theoretical efforts to maximize scientific impact and prepare for future cosmic frontier research.

Findings

Enhanced constraints on dark energy expected from new facilities.

Small projects can significantly boost the scientific reach of flagship observatories.

A strategic portfolio can lay the groundwork for future cosmic frontier discoveries.

Abstract

Understanding cosmic acceleration is one of the key science drivers for astrophysics and high-energy physics in the coming decade (2014 P5 Report). With the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and other new facilities beginning operations soon, we are entering an exciting phase during which we expect an order of magnitude improvement in constraints on dark energy and the physics of the accelerating Universe. This is a key moment for a matching Small Projects portfolio that can (1) greatly enhance the science reach of these flagship projects, (2) have immediate scientific impact, and (3) lay the groundwork for the next stages of the Cosmic Frontier Dark Energy program. In this White Paper, we outline a balanced portfolio that can accomplish these goals through a combination of observational, experimental, and theory and simulation efforts.