11 June 2025
The US Project Science office for the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is forming a Users Group (X-UG) for the mission, and we are soliciting statements of interest from members of the community who wish to serve on this committee. The charter for this group is below.
Those interested should send a 1-page statement of interest to Brian Williams, NASA XRISM Project Scientist (brian.j.williams@nasa.gov) by Friday 20 June 2025. Nominees should be based at a US or Canadian institution and be active researchers in the field of X-ray astronomy. Self-nominations are highly encouraged.
X-UG Charter
The X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a collaborative mission between JAXA and NASA, with participation from ESA. The NASA XRISM Project Office ("Project") is responsible for US and Canadian-based General Observers.
The NASA XRISM Users Group (X-UG) consists of 10-12 scientists, external to the Project, who serve as the primary interface between the Project and the astronomical community. The X-UG represents a formal mechanism for relaying community concerns and suggestions to the Project and to NASA HQ.
Membership in the X-UG is determined by the Project in concurrence with NASA HQ. The X-UG is chaired by one of its senior members, appointed by the Project. The principal basis for selection will be scientific and/or technical expertise, and the expertise of the membership should span a range of topics within astronomy. Membership in the X-UG is generally limited to US-based astronomers, but can include one Canadian-based representative, with concurrence from CSA. Members will generally serve for 3-year terms, which can be extended by up to one year if necessary. The names of the X-UG members will be made public, so that members of the US and Canadian astronomical community have the opportunity to discuss their questions and concerns with X-UG members in advance of any meetings. The group will meet twice a year, generally once in person and once virtually.
The NASA XRISM Principal Investigator, Project Scientist, Mission Scientist, Program Scientist, Program Executive, and lead of the General Observer Facility attend meetings of the X-UG as ex-officio, non-voting members.
The scope of the X-UG is broad, and the Group is generally free to set its own agenda and request information and status updates from the Project, as desired. The product of the X-UG is a written report, issued after each meeting, addressed to the Principal Investigator and Project Scientist.