smithsonian science in chile: unlocking the mysteries of the
TRANSCRIPT
Smithsonian Science in Chile: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe with the Giant Magellan Telescope
Charles Alcock
March 22, 2012
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Smithsonian Science in Chile:
150 years of scientific investigations Astronomy is the center of our
relationship today The Smithsonian Astrophysical
Observatory joined with the Harvard College Observatory in 1972 to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Smithsonian Science in Chile:
Our principal aspiration is the Giant Magellan Telescope
My purpose today is to introduce you to this project.
Four questions I will try to answer:
Why are astronomers striving to build ever larger telescopes?
How do telescopes work? Should these telescopes be on the
ground or in space? Why are we working in Chile?
Four questions I will try to answer:
Why are astronomers striving to build ever larger telescopes?
How do telescopes work? Should these telescopes be on the
ground or in space? Why are we working in Chile?
The Age of Extremely Large Telescopes
TMT GMT EELT
Sixteen active “8 meter class” telescopes in use (seven in Chile), but only three proposed “30 meter class” telescopes (two in Chile)
All three in design phases
The Giant Magellan Telescope is technically ready to be first (funding sets the pace)
Attacking the Big Questions:
What is the nature of dark matter and dark energy?
How did the first stars and galaxies form?
How do stars and planets form and evolve?
How common are planets that might harbor life?
Will we be able to detect evidence for life on a planet orbiting another star?
Attacking the Big Questions:
What is the nature of dark matter and dark energy?
How did the first stars and galaxies form?
How do stars and planets form and evolve?
How common are planets that might harbor life?
Will we be able to detect evidence for life on a planet orbiting another star?
Are we alone?
Sensitive instruments on the GMT will be able to detect “biomarkers”, starting with oxygen in an exoplanet atmosphere
Are we alone?
Sensitive instruments on the GMT will be able to detect “biomarkers”, starting with oxygen in an exoplanet atmosphere
We have already detected atmospheres of “giant planets”.
Four questions I will try to answer:
Why are astronomers striving to build ever larger telescopes?
How do telescopes work? Should these telescopes be on the
ground or in space? Why are we working in Chile?
Astronomers collect “radiation” across the electromagnetic spectrum:
How (almost all) telescopes work:
Bigger is better for faint & small sources
Image sharpness at maximum capability:
1 x 6.5m Magellan
0.051 arcsec Magellan
0.014 arcsec GMT
7 x 8.4m GMT
Light collecting power:
The best science happens when the right size telescope is available.
Four questions I will try to answer:
Why are astronomers striving to build ever larger telescopes?
How do telescopes work? Should these telescopes be on the
ground or in space? Why are we working in Chile?
Our atmosphere is opaque to most electromagnetic radiation:
Our atmosphere is opaque to most electromagnetic radiation:
For example, x-ray astronomy must be done from space, because x-rays do not penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere.
We operate the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of NASA’s “Great Observatories” for NASA
As we all know from birth, “visible light” passes readily through the atmosphere
The problem is that turbulence in the air blurs the images formed at the telescope (also causes “twinkling” of star light).
Advanced “Adaptive Optics” allow us to do on the ground what Hubble does is
space:
Distorted Wavefront
Flat Wavefront
Distant Star
Blurred Image
Earth’s Atmosphere
No Correction AO Correction
Earth’s Atmosphere
Sharp Image
Four questions I will try to answer:
Why are astronomers striving to build ever larger telescopes?
How do telescopes work? Should these telescopes be on the
ground or in space? Why are we working in Chile?
Why Chile?
Southern sky is richer in astronomical targets than the northern sky: Center of the Milky Way Clouds of Magellan
The air flow across the Atacama Desert is nearly perfect, dry and stable The skies are very dark!
Why Chile?
The legal situation is clear and rational, with well-understood processes The observatories can recruit technical
staff from the well educated population.
Why Chile?
Major international astronomy investments are in the southern hemisphere Atacama Large Millimeter Array South Pole Telescope Large Synoptic Survey Telescope European Southern Observatory’s
many facilities.
Why GMT? Proven Heritage
Successful Magellan Telescopes team: Under
budget On time
Proven mirror technologies
Proven success with adaptive optics
GMT Retires Its Greatest Technical Risk
8.4-meter diameter mirrors fabricated at University of Arizona Mirror Lab
Final surface accuracy of ~25 nanometers
Seven mirrors operate as one large surface
Will cast an eighth spare mirror
A Strong Partnership: GMT Founders
Astronomy Australia, Ltd. The Australian National
University Carnegie Institution for Science Harvard University Korea Astronomy and Space
Science Institute Smithsonian Institution Texas A&M University The University of Arizona The University of Chicago The University of Texas at Austin
Benefits of Investment in the GMT
Partners’ “stake” in the GMT translates into to guaranteed number of available observing nights
Founders’ Agreement weights early
stage contributions with additional observing time
GMT Project Timeline
Conceptual Design:
June 2003 –October 2006
Design Development:
April 2007 – July 2013
Construction Begins: January 2014
Early Science Operations: April 2020
Operations Begin: July 2021
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Goal:
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics seeks a 20% stake in the Giant Magellan Telescope to maintain our broad leadership role in astrophysics
What might this mean for Chile?
Most exciting discoveries in astronomy will be made in Chile
Fantastic opportunities for young Chilean scientists
Much interest in developing “astro-engineering” in Chile
Should exploit the “climate of excitement” to attract young students into science and engineering.
A Singular Moment for Science
Astronomy is on the cusp of a new “golden age”
The GMT is our pathway to discovery