High Level Science Goals, Key Science Requirements, Operational Concept Section 2
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GMT SYSTEM LEVEL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW December 17, 2013 High Level Science Goals, Key Science Requirements, Operational Concept Section 2 GMT SYSTEM LEVEL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW December 17, 2013 This page intentionally left blank HIGH LEVEL SCIENCE GOALS, KEY SCIENCE REQS, OPERATIONAL CONCEPT 2–2 GMT SYSTEM LEVEL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW December 17, 2013 Table of Contents 2 HIGH LEVEL SCIENCE GOALS, KEY SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS, OPERATIONS CONCEPT ................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 High Level Science Goals ..................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Discovery Space Opened Up by the GMT ..................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Contemporary Science Goals ......................................................................................... 7 2.1.2.1 Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems ................................................... 7 2.1.2.2 Stellar Populations and Chemical Evolution ...................................................... 14 2.1.2.3 Galaxy Assembly and Evolution ........................................................................ 18 2.1.2.4 Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Fundamental Physics ....................................... 25 2.1.2.5 First Light and Reionization ............................................................................... 28 2.1.2.6 Transient Phenomena ......................................................................................... 33 2.1.3 Scientific Synergies with Other Major Facilities ......................................................... 38 2.1.3.1 Synergy with Ground-Based Facilities ............................................................... 39 2.1.3.2 Synergy with Space-Based Missions .................................................................. 41 2.1.4 Summary of High Level Science Goals ....................................................................... 42 2.2 Top-Level Science Requirements ...................................................................................... 43 2.2.1 Mapping Science Goals and GMT Requirements ........................................................ 43 2.2.2 Telescope and Subsystem Requirements ..................................................................... 47 2.2.2.1 General Requirements ........................................................................................ 47 2.2.2.2 Spectral Range .................................................................................................... 47 2.2.2.3 Seeing-Limited Image Quality ........................................................................... 47 2.2.2.4 Motion Control ................................................................................................... 48 2.2.2.5 Adaptive Optics Requirements ........................................................................... 48 2.2.2.6 Instrument Requirements.................................................................................... 50 2.3 Operational Concept .......................................................................................................... 50 2.3.1 Organization ................................................................................................................. 50 2.3.2 Facilities and Infrastructure .......................................................................................... 51 2.3.2.1 Summit Facilities ................................................................................................ 52 2.3.2.2 Operations Center ............................................................................................... 52 2.3.2.3 Science Operations ............................................................................................. 53 2.3.3 Operating Modes .......................................................................................................... 53 2.3.3.1 Investigator Directed - On-Site (“Classical”) ..................................................... 53 2.3.3.2 Investigator Directed – Remote .......................................................................... 53 2.3.3.3 Service Observing .............................................................................................. 54 2.3.3.4 Queue Scheduled Service Observing ................................................................. 54 2.3.3.5 Survey and Campaign Modes ............................................................................. 54 2.3.3.6 Interrupt Mode / Target of Opportunity ............................................................. 55 2.3.3.7 GMTO Support for Operational Modes ............................................................. 55 2.3.4 Observing Modes ......................................................................................................... 55 2.3.5 Time Allocation ........................................................................................................... 56 2.3.5.1 Engineering Time ............................................................................................... 56 2.3.5.2 Contributors and Others’ Observing Time ......................................................... 56 2.3.5.3 Director’s Discretionary Time ............................................................................ 57 2.3.5.4 Time Allocation Process..................................................................................... 57 2.3.6 User Support ................................................................................................................. 58 2.3.6.1 Observing Assistance ......................................................................................... 58 2.3.6.2 Instrument Handbooks ....................................................................................... 58 2.3.6.3 Data Reduction Pipelines ................................................................................... 58 2.3.6.4 Quick-Look Reduction and Analysis Tools ....................................................... 59 HIGH LEVEL SCIENCE GOALS, KEY SCIENCE REQS, OPERATIONAL CONCEPT 2–3 GMT SYSTEM LEVEL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW December 17, 2013 2.3.7 Instrumentation and Adaptive Optics .......................................................................... 59 2.3.7.1 Multiple Instruments and AO Available............................................................ 59 2.3.7.2 Configuration ..................................................................................................... 60 2.3.7.3 Calibrations ........................................................................................................ 60 2.3.7.4 Performance Monitoring.................................................................................... 60 2.3.8 Performance and Success Metrics ............................................................................... 60 2.3.9 Science Data Management .......................................................................................... 61 2.3.10 Data Archive and Distribution .................................................................................... 61 2.3.10.1 Common Data Formats ...................................................................................... 61 2.3.10.2 Data Compatibility ............................................................................................ 62 2.3.10.3 Remote Networking ........................................................................................... 62 2.3.10.4 Engineering Data Management ......................................................................... 62 2.3.10.5 Workstations ...................................................................................................... 62 2.3.11 Environment ................................................................................................................ 62 2.3.11.1 Environmental Data Gathering and Statistics .................................................... 62 References .................................................................................................................................... 64 HIGH LEVEL SCIENCE GOALS, KEY SCIENCE REQS, OPERATIONAL CONCEPT 2–4 GMT SYSTEM LEVEL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW December 17, 2013 2 HIGH LEVEL SCIENCE GOALS, KEY SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS, OPERATIONS CONCEPT 2.1 High Level Science Goals The GMT science case is structured in three parts: new discovery space opened by the GMT (Section 2.1.1) contemporary science goals that will be addressed by the GMT (Section 2.1.2) and scientific synergies with existing and planned facilities (Section 2.1.3). The most important aspects of the science case for this review document are those that drive requirements for the facility, scientific instruments, and operations. The discussion begins with the new discovery space opened by increased angular resolution and the large primary collecting area of the GMT. The bulk of the discussion that follows details how the GMT can be used to address contemporary problems in astronomy and astrophysics. This is naturally where the bulk of the effort in developing the scientific requirements for the facility is focused. Since the precise mix of questions of interest at the time of first light with GMT will surely differ from what is outlined here, the discussion is focused at a level such that the derived requirements will be robust against changes in