Fermi User's Group (FUG)
Statement on the Importance of Multiwavelength Activities
for Fermi Science
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The Fermi User's Group (FUG) feels strongly that
multiwavelength (MWL) work is a key component of the Fermi
science program and should be supported to the maximum extent
possible.  Access to broad spectral coverage of Fermi sources
will be critical to understanding the nature of these sources,
and this coverage will benefit both Fermi as well as the broader
astronomical community. The GUG recognizes that MWL efforts require
advance planning and resources, such as time, people and funding,
however, we feel that, given the tremendous scientific returns
from MWL studies of Fermi sources, cooperative MWL studies
carried out by the user community should be supported whenever
possible.

The GUG notes that Fermi will offer unique capabilities for the high
energy study of astrophysical sources. With a sensitivity that is
almost two orders of magnitude better than that of earlier
experiments, the Large Area Telescope (LAT) of Fermi will be able
to locate high-energy gamma-ray sources with unprecedented accuracy.
The large large field of view of the LAT (~20% of the
sky at any instant) will offer a unique opportunity for the study
of transient sources, and Fermi observations in the 10-100 GeV energy
range will probe a largely unexplored portion of the spectra these
sources. MWL studies of Fermi sources will, in many cases, be
crucial in their identification.  These studies will also enable
the discovery of new source classes and the more complete exploration
of the identified sources. To summarize, well-organized MWL programs
will be of crucial importance for overall scientific success of the
Fermi mission.