Future of Astronomy Astronomy 315 Professor Lee Carkner Lecture 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 area Area =  r 2   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