OP: MRI: Development of a Visible Wavelength Extreme Adaptive Optics Coronagraphic Imager for the 6.5 meter Magellan Telescope

这项重大研究仪器奖将允许亚利桑那大学的天文学家团队建造一台最先进的仪器，供智利 6.5 米麦哲伦望远镜使用。 该仪器将允许对明亮恒星周围的微弱行星和碎片盘进行直接成像。 几名博士后研究员和研究生将在设计和测试阶段发挥关键作用。 该仪器将为成员机构的大量天文学家以及联盟外的合作者提供广泛的科学支持。 它将突破自适应光学能力的极限，这将对广泛的科学和商业应用产生重大积极影响。亚利桑那大学的团队将通过为智利 6.5 米麦哲伦望远镜开发的新仪器，开发高对比度日冕自适应光学成像和光谱学方面世界领先的能力。 该仪器将把自适应光学功能扩展到可见光波段，从而实现独特的科学功能，特别是对于系外行星和原行星盘的成像。 MagAO-X 仪器将在当前 MagAO 系统的基础上逐步构建，并通过三个仔细考虑的阶段，最终形成一种新的综合仪器。这项 MRI 开发工作将增强基础设施，并为未来的乐器演奏家提供急需的培训机会。

This Major Research Instrumentation award will allow a team of astronomers at the University of Arizona to construct a state-of-the-art instrument for use at the 6.5 meter Magellan telescope in Chile. This instrument will permit direct imaging of faint planets and debris disks around bright stars. Several postdoctoral fellows and graduate students will play key roles in the design and testing phases. The instrument will enable a wide range of science for a large number of astronomers at member institutions as well as their collaborators from outside the consortium. It will push the envelope of adaptive optics capability, which will have a major positive impact for a wide range of scientific and commercial applications.This University of Arizona team will develop world-leading capabilities in high-contrast coronagraphic adaptive optics imaging and spectroscopy through a new instrument to be developed for the 6.5 meter Magellan telescope in Chile. The instrument will extend adaptive optics capabilities into the visual band, enabling unique science capabilities, especially for imaging exoplanets and proto-planetary disks. The MagAO-X instrument will build incrementally on the current MagAO system and through three carefully-considered stages, ultimately leading to a new comprehensive instrument. This MRI development effort will enhance infrastructure and provide sorely-needed training opportunities for future instrumentalists.