Description
Cambridge Scientific Requirements for Extremely Large Telescopes IAU S232 2006 Edition by Patricia Ann Whitelock, Michel Dennefeld, Bruno Leibundgut
Following the inauguration of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the international ELT community met in Cape Town to discuss the next generation of telescopes - those with apertures in excess of 20m. This volume presents the results of their deliberations, starting with reviews of the scientific needs emerging from the exploitation of the present generation of large telescopes and an examination of the technical lessons that might be transferred to larger telescopes. Scientific discussions cover four broad themes: galaxy formation, galaxy evolution and cosmology; stellar populations; the intergalactic medium; and exoplanets and star formation. The status of the various projects is discussed with details of site testing, detector development and an emphasis on adaptive optics which will be critical for these extremely large telescopes. Much of the discussion of IAU S232 is reproduced in detail, providing a real flavour of the controversial issues. Table of contents :- Preface, Part I. Plenary Session: 1. Setting the scene; 2. Synergies with other projects; 3. Scientific overview; Part II. Parallel Sessions: A. Galaxy formation, evolution and cosmology; B. Stellar populations; C. Intergalactic medium; D. Exoplanets and star formation; E. The diversity of projects worldwide; Part III. Plenary Session: 4. The diversity of projects worldwide (continued); 5. Novel technologies; 6. Reports from the parallel sessions; 7. Ending the Symposium; General posters, Author index.