Some aspects of science with a 50-m AO telescope

Ralph C. Snel; Arne L. Ardeberg; Ralf C. Flicker

doi:10.1117/12.566103

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7 July 2004 Some aspects of science with a 50-m AO telescope

Ralph C. Snel, Arne L. Ardeberg, Ralf C. Flicker

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Proceedings Volume 5382, Second Backaskog Workshop on Extremely Large Telescopes; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566103
Event: Second Backaskog Workshop on Extremely Large Telescopes, 2003, Backaskog, Sweden

Abstract

Among the science challenges of the Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs), four object types are studied for performance with a 50 m ELT with adaptive optics (AO), Euro50. Emphasis is on planetary systems and very distant objects. For planetary systems and their evolution, we examine high resolution imaging of the nuclei of comets and high-resolution imaging, photometry and low and intermediate resolution spectroscopy of Kuiper-Belt objects. Imaging of Earth-like planets is discussed. The very high contrast imaging necessary for these purposes is discussed together with the relevant error sources. Finally, photometry and classification of supernovae is discussed and examined. The performance of a 50 m AO ELT is compared to corresponding data obtainable with current VLTs equipped with AO.

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Ralph C. Snel, Arne L. Ardeberg, and Ralf C. Flicker "Some aspects of science with a 50-m AO telescope", Proc. SPIE 5382, Second Backaskog Workshop on Extremely Large Telescopes, (7 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566103

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