Future of Astronomy

Astronomy 315Professor Lee

CarknerLecture 25

The Future of Astronomy

What would we like to understand better? Formation of initial galaxies

Properties and numbers of extrasolar planets

Formation and evolution of black holes

Problems and Solutions

We want to study fainter objects

We want better detail

We want to study a broad range of astrophysical phenomena Use multiwavelength telescopes

Future Observatories

While much science is done with small and common instruments, there are several large and expensive new projects that we hope will lead to big breakthroughs

Webb Space Telescope A Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope

Webb Space Telescope

Large infrared space observatory

Do the equivalent of Hubble Deep Fields over the entire sky

Both strong IR emitters Cost:

Webb Format

Cheap means light (avoid shuttle launch or multiple launch)

Mirror size: 6.5 meters To get large mirror to fit in small launch

vehicle, mirror folds up

Webb Consequences Two big issues with future astronomy

missions: Budgets are shrinking

“The telescope that ate astronomy”

One super mission that can achieve big

breakthroughs

Most future missions have been canceled

Astro-H Will get a better name after successful

launch Designed to view “hard” (high energy)

X-rays Study hot diffuse gas

Other nations contributing (including US), but mostly a modest Japanese mission

ATHENA Advanced Telescope for High

ENergy Astrophysics

Arises out of international collaboration failure of IXO

To be launched 2021?

Telescope Properties The light gathering power of a telescope depends on its

areaArea = r2

The resolution of a telescope depends on its diameter (d) and the wavelength () of light observed

R = (1.22 ) / d Determines how close two objects can be and still be resolved

(smaller R is better)

Future Ground Based Telescopes

Larger size means spectroscopy and imaging of fainter objects

Extremely Large Telescopes

Current Plans

Planned to be operational in 2018

The ESO has plans for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) of 42 meters Also planned for 2018

Each will cost about 1 billion dollars

Extremely Large Telescopes

Success of large telescopes depends on adaptive optics

ELT’s would complement space telescopes For follow up observations that require greater

sensitivity

Telescope Trends

Need to consider cost/benefit ratio

Next Time

Meet in planetarium No homework or downloads