The Science Case for PILOT I: Summary and Overview
Creators
- Lawrence, J. S.1
- Ashley, M. C. B.1
- Bailey, J.1
- Barrado y Navascués, D.2
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Bedding, T. R.3
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Bland-Hawthorn, J.3
- Bond, I.4
- Boulanger, F.5
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Bouwens, R.6
- Bruntt, H.3
- Bunker, A.
- Burgarella, D.7
- Burton, M. G.1
- Busso, M.8
- Coward, D.9
- Cioni, M.-R.10
- Durand, G.11
- Eiroa, C.12
- Epchtein, N.
- Gehrels, N.13
- Gillingham, P.
- Glazebrook, K.14
- Haynes, R.
- Kiss, L.3
- Lagage, P. O.11
- Le Bertre, T.15
- Mackay, C.16
- Maillard, J. P.17
- McGrath, A.
- Minier, V.11
- Mora, A.12
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Olsen, K.18
- Persi, P.19
- Pimbblet, K.20
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Quimby, R.21
- Saunders, W.
- Schmidt, B.22
- Stello, D.3
- Storey, J1
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Tinney, C.1
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Tremblin, P.11
- Wheeler, J. C.23
- Yock, P.24
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1.
UNSW Sydney
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2.
National Institute for Aerospace Technology
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3.
Institute of Astronomy
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4.
Massey University
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5.
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale
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6.
University of California, Santa Cruz
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7.
Aix-Marseille University
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8.
University of Perugia
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9.
University of Western Australia
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10.
University of Hertfordshire
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11.
CEA Saclay
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12.
Autonomous University of Madrid
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13.
Goddard Space Flight Center
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14.
Swinburne University of Technology
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15.
Paris Observatory
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16.
University of Cambridge
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17.
Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris
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18.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
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19.
National Institute for Astrophysics
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20.
University of Queensland
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21.
California Institute of Technology
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22.
Australian National University
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23.
The University of Texas at Austin
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24.
University of Auckland
Abstract
PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ∼30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice as good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILOT and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects divided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e. studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e. studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).
Additional Information
© 2009 CSIRO. Submitted: 21 November 2008; accepted: 13 May 2009; published: 4 November 2009. The PILOT Science Case, presented here, was produced as part of the PILOT conceptual design study, funded through the Australian Department of Education, Science, and Training through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) scheme, and the University of New South Wales through the UNSW PILOT Science Office. The European contribution has been supported by the ARENA network of the European Commission FP6 under contract RICA26150. We thank Eric Fossat and Giles Durand for providing us with data prior to publication.Attached Files
Published - Lawrence2009p6392Publ_Astron_Soc_Aust.pdf
Files
Lawrence2009p6392Publ_Astron_Soc_Aust.pdf
Additional details
Identifiers
- Eprint ID
- 16840
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20091130-143310121
Funding
- Department of Education, Science, and Training (Australia)
- University of New South Wales
- ARENA Network of the European Commission FP6
- RICA26150
Dates
- Created
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2009-12-23Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-08Created from EPrint's last_modified field