MAPS: The MMT Adaptive optics exoPlanet characterization System

MAPS：MMT 自适应光学系外行星表征系统

• 批准号: 1636647
• 负责人: Philip Hinz
• 金额: $ 239.75万
• 依托单位: University of Arizona
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-02-01 至 2020-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1636647&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MAPS; MMT; Adaptive; optics; exoPlanet

The objective of this program is to develop an adaptive optics (AO) system for the MMT Observatory on Mt. Hopkins Arizona for the observation and characterization of planets orbiting stars other than the sun (exoplanets). The system is abbreviated as MAPS. Broader impacts of the work include training of students and postdocs in astronomical instrumentation. The MAPS team will develop an annual winter school focused on training and academic development for undergraduate and graduate students, complemented by advanced high school students identified through UA's existing Astronomy Camp. The week-long school will directly engage MAPS investigators, local astronomy facilities, and authentic data sets relevant to exoplanet characterization.This award will support technology development for an upgraded adaptive secondary telescope mirror to improve the adaptive optics performance while preserving the desired low backgrounds for long wavelength (infrared) observations. The ultimate goal of MAPS is to develop the capabilities for (1) high spatial resolution to resolve the planets and disks; (2) high spectral resolution to begin understanding the components of other systems; and (3) broad wavelength coverage to probe systems at the range of wavelengths crucial for thorough study.

本计划的目标是为Mt. MMT天文台开发自适应光学（AO）系统。霍普金斯亚利桑那州的观察和表征的行星轨道恒星以外的太阳（系外行星）。该系统缩写为MAPS。 这项工作的更广泛影响包括对学生和博士后进行天文仪器方面的培训。 MAPS团队将开发一所年度冬季学校，重点关注本科生和研究生的培训和学术发展，并由通过UA现有天文营确定的高中生作为补充。为期一周的培训将直接吸引MAPS研究人员、当地天文设施和与系外行星特征相关的真实数据集。该奖项将支持升级自适应二级望远镜镜的技术开发，以提高自适应光学性能，同时保持长波（红外）观测所需的低背景。 MAPS的最终目标是开发以下能力：（1）高空间分辨率，以分辨行星和盘;（2）高光谱分辨率，以开始了解其他系统的组成部分;（3）宽波长覆盖范围，以探测系统的波长范围，这对彻底研究至关重要。