U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research: Development of Advanced Infrared Astronomical Instruments for Detailed Studies of the Formation Processes of Galaxies and Stars

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This award supports a two-year research collaboration between Professor Donald Hall and his group at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii and Dr. Keiichi Kodaira, Project Scientist at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. The goal of the collaboration is to design and construct a novel type of infrared camera as a prototype instrument for the Japanese National Large Telescope (JNLT) and to have discussions on adaptive optics techniques and technology for applications on the JNLT. The Japanese astronomical community is now far along in plans to construct an 8.3-meter class optical/infrared telescope, the Japanese National Large Telescope, which would be put into operation on Mauna Kea, Hawaii this decade. Much work has already been conducted on the telescope design, site characterization, mirror control system, instrument complement, and site agreements between the University of Hawaii and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. This award will permit University of Hawaii scientists to travel to Japan to continue discussions on the development of instrument concepts and the construction of prototype instruments that can lead to major facility instruments on the JNLT. This award is also supported by the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences, Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation Program.