Perspectives for Future Groundbased Telescopes. Astronomy

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1 Perspectives for Future Groundbased Telescopes Tim de Zeeuw 1 Astronomy Study of everything beyond the Earth Objects far away, hence small and faint Limited information about their nature Searches and surveys with small telescopes and follow-up by large telescopes: resolution & sensitivity Combining different types of observations crucial Images/spectra/time-series Electromagnetic/neutrinos/gravitational waves Visible/IR and radio regimes accessible from ground 2

2 Astronomy and Technology Astronomy benefits from and drives advances in technology It is now possible to Study objects over 95% of the age of the Universe Detect and study planets around other stars Use particles to study objects in the Universe Explore Solar system objecs in situ And also to Simulate astrophysical processes Analyze large data streams 3 Angular Resolution & Sensitivity 4

3 Predicting the Future Key questions in astronomy Nature of dark matter and dark energy Physics in extreme conditions (black holes, GRBs) Formation & evolution of galaxies Formation of stars and planets, and the origin of life How do we (and the Solar System) fit in? Amongst most fundamental questions in science Of interest to broad community and general public To be answered by Observations with telescopes (ground and space) Combined with interpretation & theory 5 Strategic Planning Astronomy ambitions through 2025: Will need several G for new investment/operations Bulk of the support to come from funding agencies Requires comprehensive long-range plan, ground and space, including links with neighbouring fields United States NRC: Decadal Survey (2010) Europe ASTRONET (incl. ESA/ESO) Science Vision (2007) Infrastructure Roadmap (2008) Implementation Plan (2009/10) Twenty year horizon 6

4 Radio Observations Many radio observatories world-wide Powerful single dishes and interferometers Linked into VLBI networks (EVN/VLBA) Rationalization of smaller facilities needed Short wavelengths IRAM, Nobeyama, CARMA mm observatories Mauna Kea: CSO, JCMT and esma Chajnantor: APEX, ASTE, and CMB experiments Transformational facility to come: ALMA Global partnership Europe/North America/East Asia 7 Llano Chajnantor (5050 m) 8

5 ALMA Science requirements Detect CO and [CII] in Milky Way galaxy at z=3 in < 24 hr Dust emission, gas kinematics in proto-planetary disks Resolution to match HST, JWST and 8-10m with AO Complement to Herschel Specifications 66 antennas (54x12m, 12x7m) 14 km max baseline (< 10mas) GHz (10 0.3mm), up to 10 receiver bands 9 HST ALMA 5AU 850 GHz ALMA

6 ALMA Beyond ALMA SKA Pathfinders being constructed ASKAP, ATA, EVLA, LOFAR, LWA, MeerKAT, MWA Focus on longer wavelengths SKA Phase 1 (0.1 km 2 ) To build upon experience with Pathfinders detailed design to start in ~2011, construction in To be located in Southern Hemisphere Organization and funding of global partnership to be defined: ALMA project provides useful lessons SKA Phase 2 (1 km 2 ) To follow on longer time-scale Clarify science gain/cost relative to Phase 1 12

7 Amazing New Observatories 13 Ground-based Optical Telescopes Many 2-4m telescopes world-wide Efforts to integrate/harmonize/rationalize them Access program for European telescopes ReStar initiative in United States (up to 6.5m) Avoid duplication of instruments fi system Focus on specific unique science Sloan Digital Sky Survey AO in visible (e.g. WHT, SOAR) Planet searches (e.g. HARPS on 3.6m) Preparation/follow-up spectroscopy for GAIA 14

8 Solar Telescopes Many small telescopes, some with AO New flagship: ATST 4m on Maui, to be managed by NSO (AURA/NSF) Will replace number of smaller US solar telescopes Europe Plans for 4m EST in Canary Islands 15 Next Steps in Surveys Under construction VST 2.6m for optical VISTA 4.1m for infrared Completion in late 2009 Science Five-year program of large public surveys Develops European survey capability Next steps could include LSST data analysis Wide-field spectroscopy VST VISTA 16

9 8-10m Telescopes Mauna Kea Twin Keck telescopes, Subaru, Gemini-North Opportunity to develop this into powerful system Chile Gemini-South, optimized for infra-red VLT, VLTI, VISTA, VST: fully-integrated system with ~5500 registered users Other LBT, including interferometric mode GranTeCan HET (with HETDEX) and SALT 17 Cerro Paranal (2630m) 18

10 19 20

11 View from Space 21 Paranal Residencia La Perla de las Dunas 22

12 Sunset 23 Integrated System 24

13 Coverage in λ and R AMBER VISIR & MIDI (10-20 μm) 25 2 nd Generation Instrumentation VLT instruments in development KMOS Near IR MOS, deployable IFUs (2010) SPHERE XAO + Near IR/Vis planet finder (2011) MUSE Visible IFU spectrograph (24 modules; 2012) VLTI instruments in development PRIMA: integration on schedule (10 μas accuracy) MATISSE L, M, N band, 4 telescope image/spec GRAVITY K Band, 4 telescope, astrometry near GC Additional VLT instruments planned High-resolution ultra-stable spectrograph at the incoherent combined focus of the UT s 26

14 VLT/I Instrument Program Long-range plan Upgrades and new instruments funded through 2020 Adaptive M2 with 4 LGS on UT4 to replace current single LGS (7W) In-house development program Detectors, controllers, edge-sensors Advanced AO systems, detectors Fiber lasers (now at 25 + W) Most instruments built by consortia of institutes ESO pays hardware costs (~1/3 rd of total) Consortia provide fte s; paid in Guaranteed Time nights for 2 nd generation instruments 27 Giant Telescopes 30 m TMT E-ELT 42 m 22 m GMT 28

15 Global Situation United States: two competing projects TMT: 30m, ~ m segments GMT: 22m, seven 8.4m mirrors on Las Campanas Private initiatives with international partners Part of construction funding identified; NSF to be asked for operations funding (after Decadal Survey) TMT will be ideal addition to Mauna Kea system E-ELT 42m, ~ m segments Coherent European effort, led by ESO Transformational extension of VLT/I system 29 Science with the E-ELT Exo-planets Imaging and spectroscopy Earth-like planets accessible Stellar populations Resolved out to Virgo cluster To high redshift in integrated light Cosmology The first stars and galaxies Direct measure of deceleration Evolution of cosmic parameters Dark matter, dark energy 30

16 European ELT Detailed design study 42m primary mirror Adaptive optics built-in Fully funded (~60 + M ) Industry strongly engaged Site selection early 2010 Study complete in mid 2010 Project Builds on entire expertise at ESO and in Member States Construction Cost: ~950 M Synergy: JWST/ALMA 31 World s Biggest Eye on the Sky Perspective Highest priority new program for ESO ASTRONET Science Vision and Roadmap: E-ELT highest-priority near-term ground-based project One of two astronomy projects on ESFRI list of highpriority research infrastructures for Europe Funding Construction in will require additional contributions from 14 Member States Operations: covered by available annual income 32

17 Conclusions Answering top science questions requires Best use of existing facilities, including rationalization or specialization of medium-size telescopes Full science harvest of facilities under construction World-class ground-based telescopes (ALMA, E-ELT) providing synergy with armada of space missions Supported by theory, simulations and laboratory experiments, and development of enabling technology Tremendous scientific & technical opportunities Long-range planning needed to make these a reality G facilities: need clear management and governance Key ESO role in new ground-based flagship facilities 33 34