Future Strategies for OIR Astronomy
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Future Strategies for OIR Astronomy Bruno Leibundgut (ESO) A Strategy for Ground-Based Optical and Infrared Astronomy OIR Astronomy A Strøtegyfor Ground-Based Optical and Infrared Astronomy Part of the multi-wavelength universe Ø central region for many processes radio to gamma rays. In this strategy, OIR jets around these stars, and the spectra will astronomy plays a central role. Almost every tell us about the gas temperatures, new astronomical source, whether discovered by velocities, and magnetism that control the radio telescopes on the ground or by infrared, star formation dynamics. ultraviolet, X-ray, or gamma-ray telescopes in space, must be observed by ground-based OIR Ilhat is the origin of the heavy elements in telescopes to understand its physical nature and the universe? Astronomers believe that the significance. heavy elements are formed as a result of Conversely, observations with ground-McCray et al. 1995 nuclear reactions in stars, particularly in A Strategy for Ground-Based Optical and Infrared Astronomy based OIR telescopes are essential for the their final convulsions as novae and efficient use of far more costly telescopes in supernovae. Surveys with2- to 4-meter space. For example, the Hubble Space telescopes will find many more of these Telescope (HST) has a very nanow field of events, and large telescopes will obtain view and can observe only a tiny fraction ofthe detailed spectra, particularly at infrared sky. We can realize the full benefits of the wavelengths where newly formed elements HST's superior image quality and unique are most apparent, to confirm and enrich ultraviolet spectroscopic capability only if we this theory. With powerful new identiff its targets on the basis of extensive spectrometers, astronomers will be able to studies with ground-based OIR telescopes. understand better how the products of Moreover, the HST will image distant sources supernova nucleosynthesis are dispersed so faint that their spectra can be measured only and built up in stars, galaxies, and by ground-based OIR telescopes offar greater interstellar and intergalactic gas. aperture. The same considerations apply to other NASA programs under development, such How many stars have planetary systems? as the NICMOS infrared instrument on HST, the With infrared telescopes, astronomers will Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) and be able to detect and image disks of dust the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared particles around stars from which planetary Astronomy (SOFIA) infrared telescopes, and the systems are believed to form. Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) X-ray telescope. Even ignoring the scientific How do galaxies form and evolve? With discoveries enabled by OIR telescopes alone, large optical and infrared telescopes, NSF's $40 M annual expenditure to support astronomers will be able to find newly ground-based OIR astronomy can be justified forming galaxies at high redshifts and learn easily on the basis ofthe enhanced scientific about their dominant physical processes. yield from NASA's $800 M annual funding of space astrophysics. ll/hat powers the central engines of active The AASC report pointed out that major galaxies and quasars? Are they opportunities to address fundamental cosmic supermassive black holes? Do many other questions will be enabled by new technologies galaxies, including the Milky Way, also and instrumentation for ground-based OIR contain quiescent black holes? If so, what telescopes. For example: are the environmental conditions that determine the rich variety of phenomena o How do stars form? Telescopes equipped associated with quasars and galactic nuclei? with modern infrared instruments will be To answer these questions, astronomers able to observe newly forming stars that are need to observe many galactic nuclei with enshrouded in dust clouds from which OIR telescopes having high angular optical light cannot emerge. The images resolution, broad spectral range, and will reveal the morphology of the disks and polarimetric capability. The coordination of t6 Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Bright Present and Future A plethora of facilities Ø Optical-Infrared ground-based telescopes up to 40m aperture • surveys, interferometry, synoptic programmes Ø mm and sub-mm telescopes • ALMA, NOEMA, SMA, APEX, Planck, Herschel, SOFIA Ø Radio telescopes of all sizes covering many frequencies Ø Space-based telescopes • Gaia, HST, JWST, Euclid, WFIRST-AFTA • Spitzer, Kepler, CoRoT, Cheops, TESS, PLATO, SVOM, … Ø X-ray sky available through • XMM/Newton, Chandra, eROSITA and Athena Ø Gamma-ray sky • INTEGRAL, MAGIC, HESS, CTA Astronet – EWASS, 24 June 2015 China seeking to increase thei lies a further opportunity for Europe. An example of which is the Millimetron Russian-based mission to undertake sp 8.2 Comparison with other Strategic The yardstick by which any astronomy roadmap is judged is the so-called ‘US Decadal Surveys’ since the first was published in 1960. The last Worlds, New Horizons93 in Astronomy and As r space involvement, which include ‘decadal surveys’ pertinent. The survey to thatfor Astronomyof th and Astrophysic These are for the planetary and for the sola ‘Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 (2011)’; ‘Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological So ectroscopy in the far-IR region. produced strategic surveys (e.g. Canada with Surveys of Astronomy and Space Science Astronomy 2010-2020 - Report of the Long Range Plan 2010 Panel scale we shall only discuss those from the USA, and Astrophysics area. Similar for most observatoriess research satellites, therein Optimizing the U.S. Ground-Based Optical and Infrared AstronomyScience System Themes PREPUBLICATION REPORT—SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDITORIAL CORRECTION PREPUBLICATIONe ASTRONET REPORT—SUBJECT survey TO FURTHERScience EDITORIALwas Visi releasedCORRECTION in 2010, entitled ‘New ! trophysics (2010).s has Therebeen ongoing are also for two over further fifty years Defined in several communities r andOptimizing space communities the U.S. and are respectively: Ground-Based Optical 92 Radio Astronomy in Europe: and Infrared project, a Up to, and beyond, 2025 Astronomy System Ø Astronet ‘Unveilingciety the(2013)’. Cosmos: Although A Vision for Canadian A à ST R and evenCommittee then, on a Strategy focus to Optimize themore U.S. Optical on and Infraredthe SystemAstronomy in the EraonS of the and Roadmapping. Science Vision(2007)Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) ONand Roadmap (2008) recent updates (2013 andc 2014, respectively) ie Board on Physics and Astronomy E Ø n T: Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences c ESA Cosmic Vision e Vi EUROPEAN ORGANISATION FOR ASTRONOMICAL s io other countries have Ø n RESEARCH IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE 94 U National decadal reviews Ian pd ____________________________________ R ’)obson for comparison of a te Ø ESO/STC Date: 07.04.2015 Special publications - 551 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS Washington, D.C. www.nap.edu ______________ • For ESA-ESO workingA report by ASTRONET’s group reports Recom ___________ European Radio Telescope Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. m • Review Committee endation SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Specific fields (e.g. Connecting quarks with the Cosmos) 92 • 93 The latest ‘Decadal Survey’ http://www.asc.rssi.ru/submillimetron/mm/ Various reviews specific by wavelength 94 ! http://aas.org/resources/decadal Garching, 21 8 5 th http://www.casca.ca/lrp2010/11 Meeting S cience Priorities at ESO-22 April 2015 AS TR from the USA of 2010. In ON fra E U s T: p tr ‐surveys da u 093_AstronomyL te ct ur e Ian R R o o bson a dm RP_V16web.pdf ap 80 Major Science Topics Nature of Gravity Ø strong gravity à Galactic Centre Ø weak gravity à Dark Matter, Dark Energy Stars and Galaxies Ø formation, evolution, baryon cycle Other Worlds Ø characterisation of exo-planets and exo-planetary systems Transient Sky Ø variability as signature of physical processes Ø discovery enabled through many (near-)all-sky surveys Astronet – EWASS, 24 June 2015 European Science Vision (2007) • How do stars form? • Do we understand stellar structure and evolution? • What is the life-cycle of the interstellar matter and stars? • How do planetary systems form and evolve? • What is the diversity of planetary systems in the Galaxy? • How did the Universe begin? • What is Dark Matter and Dark Energy? • Can we observe strong gravity in action? • How do supernovae and gamma-ray bursts work? • How do black hole accretion, jets and outflows work? • What do we learn from energetic radiation and particles? • How did the Universe emerge from its Dark Ages? • Where are most of the metals throughout cosmic time? • How were galaxies assembled? • How did our Galaxy form? European Science Vision (2007) • How do stars form? • Do we understand stellar structure and evolution? • What is the life-cycle of the interstellar matter and stars? • How do planetary systems form and evolve? • What is the diversity of planetary systems in the Galaxy? • How did the Universe begin? • What is Dark Matter and Dark Energy? • Can we observe strong gravity in action? • How do supernovae and gamma-ray bursts work? (inblack) • How do black hole accretion, jets and outflows work? • What do we learn from energetic radiation and particles? • How did the Universe emerge from its Dark Ages? • Where are most of the metals throughout cosmic time? Changes1995 from 2007 to • How were galaxies assembled? • How did our Galaxy form? OIR in the 2020s Exquisite