TMT-India Science Interests and Project Update G.C. Anupama & R. Srianand (On behalf of the TMT-India)‏ TMT-SAC Meeting: November 2010, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A

TMT-India Funding Agency – Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India Principal Investigating Institutes –  Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore  Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune  Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital Members from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad and Universities

Steps towards TMT-India Nearly three years of deliberations – several national workshops and discussion meetings Astronomical community reached a consensus that the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project was the best suited for Indian participation, among the three proposed international mega optical and infrared telescope projects. Submitted a detailed project report, in February, 2010, to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India. The DST approved the report, and, on 24th June 2010, made an announcement about India's participation in the TMT project as an observer, with a serious intent towards partnership.

Science Starformation Star forming regions (Galactic, nearby galaxies), YSOs and open clusters Stellar Physics Elemental abundances – evolved stars (AGB, RR Lyrae), hydrogen deficient, metal poor stars (CEMP), Lithium enriched Isotopic ratios Milky way structure Eruptive Variables and compact objects Novae, Supernovae, GRBs, LMXBs Galaxy formation and Evolution Stellar population in local group and nearby galaxies, kinematics of high redshift galaxies, central engines Early Universe Solar system objects and Exoplanets

Science Interests with TMT Formation and evolution of stars and planets  Star forming regions, YSOs, planetary atmospheres Formation and evolution of galaxies The Milky Way Galaxy – structures and their origin and dynamics – age, kinematics and chemical composition of stars Stellar population in the Local Group and nearby galaxies – kinematics and dark matter content Study of baryonic mass assembly in distant galaxies Kinematics of star-forming galaxies at z=2-3 Supermassive blackholes and AGNs Occurrence of AGN phenomenon and blackhole formation in the early universe

Science Interests with TMT The chemical evolution and composition of the Universe Nucleosynthesis in stars – chemical abundances The earliest stars: First stars, First Mass Function (FMF) Isotopic ratios - testing cosmic homogeneity Galaxy-Intergalactic medium interactions and metal enrichment Molecules at high-z Stellar explosions and extreme objects  Supernovae and their progenitors  GRB afterglows; GRB host galaxy  Compact star in LMXBs and isolated neutron stars Early Universe Cosmology with Ly-alpha forest Probing the fundamental physics – QSO absorption lines CMB temperature – using fine-structure excitation lines of carbon in DLAs

Instrument Requirements Generic instruments that are required to meet our science interests  Wide field optical imager  AO NIR imager  Low resolution NIR spectrometer (AO)‏  Multi-object low resolution spectrometer - optical and NIR (seeing limited, AO)‏  High resolution spectrometer – optical and NIR  Mid-infrared imager (AO)‏  Mid-infrared low resolution spectrometer ~30% of science proposals require high resolution spectrometer ~60-70% require imaging + low resolution spectroscopy ~20% require wide-field imaging and/or multi-object/IFU spectroscopy ~5-10% require mid-IR ~2% require polarisation

Instrument Requirements

TMT-India Update TMT-India has submitted a proposal to the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for funds for development of technology/prototypes under the following work packages  M1 Segment Support Assemblies  Edge Sensor  Actuators  M1 segment polishing  Software  Interested in participation in instruments – either through hardware/software development, or through man power (currently under discussion)‏ Seeking ~5M USD funds during the observer period The performing institution/entity for all work packages approved by the TMT Project will be “TMT-India”