The GTC instrument plan

Transcription

1 The GTC instrument plan Romano L. M. Corradi GRANTECAN

2 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B 2011A 2011B 2012A 2012B 2013A 2013B 2014A 2014B 2015A 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B 2011A 2011B 2012A 2012B 2013A 2013B 2014A 2014B 2015A hours 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B 2011A 2011B 2012A 2012B 2013A 2013B 2014A 2014B 2015A 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B 2011A 2011B 2012A 2012B 2013A 2013B 2014A 2014B 2015A percentage Overheads/available time GTC status GTC science time losses 1,00 GTC queue observing overheads 100,0 90,0 80,0 70,0 60,0 50,0 40,0 30,0 weather losses technical losses 0,90 0,80 0,70 0,60 0,50 0,40 0,30 0,20 20,0 0,10 10,0 0,00 0,0 1000,0 900,0 800,0 700,0 600,0 500,0 400,0 300,0 200,0 100,0 0,0 CanariCam GT OSIRIS GT ITP ES-FL Florida ES-MX Mexico ESO time Spain GTC science time use by stake holder 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Science time use by instrument CanariCam OSIRIS

3 # refereed papers Science productivity 221 refereed articles published (1 Feb 2016) - 89 from Spain (41 from IAC, 18 from IAA) - 10 from Mexico and 9 from Florida OSIRIS data / 16 Canaricam data Paper/Telescope versus age VLT Gemini Keck SUBARU LBT GTC age

4 2015 scientific highlights The double-degenerate, super-chandrasekhar nucleus of the planetary nebula Henize Relativistic baryonic jets from an ultraluminous supersoft X-ray source Santander-García et al 2015, Nature, 519, 63 Lee et al, 2015, Nature, 528, 108

5 GTC status Still, a significant amount of work is needed in terms of telescope development, in order to fully exploit the GTC capabilities, and in particular to provide the best image quality under any observing conditions (e.g. closed-loop active optics) Progress toward this goal has been and is strongly limited by the available financial/human resources, but it is essential if we want to exploit the fact that the GTC is the largest telescope in the world

6 GTC instrument capability Available focii: 2 Nasmyth 1 Cassegrain 4 folded Cassegrain [Coudé] [prime] In use In preparation Not planned

7 2015 technical highlights NIR camera CIRCE successfully commissioned in summer 2015 is now offered to community starting on 2015B Dome opening limitations solved (Oct-Nov 2015 stand-down)

8 Resolution GTC instrumentation on December OSIRIS 300 CanariCam 100 imaging U B V R I J H K L M N Q OSIRIS CIRCE CanariCam Wavelength (micron)

9 CIRCE Developed by the University of Florida (USA) PI S. Eikenberry (UF) Visitor Instrument (temporary instrument, not paid by the GTC budgets and relaxed on the use of GTC standards; but supported and maintained by the Instrument Team) Wavelength range: µm 2Kx2K HgCdTe (Rockwell) Field of View: 3.4 x 3.4 with 0.1 arcsec/pixel Observing Modes: Broad band imaging and polarimetry Narrowband imaging, low resolution spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry (March 2016) Status: offered to community starting from semester 2015B

10 During Integration tests CIRCE

11 Future instrumentation plan The GTC instrumentation plan till 2019 has been approved by the GTC governing boards. Agreement signed with Canarian Government to fund the instrument plan This includes all actions necessary to prepare the telescope focii (rotators, A&G and calibration units, helium supply) and to design, produce and install all instruments: HORS, CIRCE, EMIR, MEGARA, FRIDA, and the GTCAO with a Laser guide star (agreement with IAC). The GRANTECAN mission/challenge is to comply with all these commitments in due time.

12 Resolution GTC instrumentation on December OSIRIS 300 CanariCam 100 imaging U B V R I J H K L M N Q OSIRIS CIRCE CanariCam Wavelength (micron)

13 Resolution GTC at the end of HORS MEGARA MIRADAS 3000 EMIR 1000 OSIRIS 300 CanariCam 100 imaging U B V R I J H K L M N Q OSIRIS CIRCE EMIR CanariCam Wavelength (micron)

14 Competitiveness The ultimate goal is a good balance between general purpose instruments (OSIRIS + EMIR) and instruments designed to provide specific capabilities that raise the scientific competitiveness of the GTC. Distinguished features are: MOS (EMIR, Megara, Miradas) and/or IFU (Megara, Miradas, Frida) multiplexing capabilities, with intermediate spectral resolution (Megara, Miradas, Frida). The combination of these features and the large GTC collecting areas makes them unique instruments, and/or with much higher sensitivity than other similar instruments.

15 Beyond 2020 We will open a formal open discussion for the GTC Strategic Plan from 2020-on very soon. The community contribution is essential. Early/mid-career astrophysicists should have a pivotal role here.