The Science Case for PILOT I: Summary and Overview
- Creators
- Lawrence, J. S.
- Ashley, M. C. B.
- Bailey, J.
- Barrado y Navascués, D.
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Bedding, T. R.
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Bland-Hawthorn, J.
- Bond, I.
- Boulanger, F.
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Bouwens, R.
- Bruntt, H.
- Bunker, A.
- Burgarella, D.
- Burton, M. G.
- Busso, M.
- Coward, D.
- Cioni, M.-R.
- Durand, G.
- Eiroa, C.
- Epchtein, N.
- Gehrels, N.
- Gillingham, P.
- Glazebrook, K.
- Haynes, R.
- Kiss, L.
- Lagage, P. O.
- Le Bertre, T.
- Mackay, C.
- Maillard, J. P.
- McGrath, A.
- Minier, V.
- Mora, A.
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Olsen, K.
- Persi, P.
- Pimbblet, K.
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Quimby, R.
- Saunders, W.
- Schmidt, B.
- Stello, D.
- Storey, J
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Tinney, C.
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Tremblin, P.
- Wheeler, J. C.
- Yock, P.
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
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 16840
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20091130-143310121
- Department of Education, Science, and Training (Australia)
- University of New South Wales
- ARENA Network of the European Commission FP6
- RICA26150
- 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