Imaging the Far-Infrared Astrophysical Universe

远红外天体物理宇宙成像

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-03659
• 负责人: Spencer, Locke
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of Lethbridge
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=665712
• 关键词: Imaging; Far; Infrared; Astrophysical; Universe

I have recently returned to Canada as a Canada Research Chair (CRC) in experimental astrophysics to establish a testbed for exploring the challenges associated with spatial/spectral interferometry at Far-Infrared (FIR) wavelengths. This is widely regarded as the technology that will lead to the next major advance in FIR imaging spectroscopy. Over half of the energy emitted by the Universe appears in the relatively unexplored FIR spectral region, most of which is opaque from ground-based sites necessitating space-borne instrumentation. The European Space Agency Planck and Herschel telescopes have recently provided the first unfettered views of the universe in the FIR. They have redefined current astrophysics including galactic and extragalactic sources, to the most distant photons possible. Herschel, with its 3.5m diameter primary mirror, has also highlighted the "FIR gap", i.e. the dramatically poorer angular resolution and sensitivity in the FIR compared with that provided by facilities on either side of this spectrum. Many Herschel discoveries are waiting on enhanced spatial resolution follow-up observations to address the questions raised in this new window on the Universe. Within the FIR community, cooled apertures and interferometry are identified as two FIR roadmap priorities.****The Japanese-led Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) is the next-generation Herschel. With a primary mirror of similar size to Herschel and operating at slightly shorter wavelengths, SPICA will have marginally better spatial resolution than Herschel. With its primary mirror actively cooled, and more sensitive detectors, SPICA is expected to outperform Herschel in sensitivity by a factor of 100. To greatly improve spatial resolution, traditional imaging must be replaced by interferometric techniques.****While my research program is focused on the development of a lab-based FIR interferometry testbed, it contributes to many aspects of the FIR roadmap including the exploitation of current results and facilities, and collaboration with future experiments, facilities, and observatories. The FIR interferometry focus opens a new research avenue for the University of Lethbridge (UL) Astronomical Instrumentation Group (AIG), providing a ground floor opportunity to become a key partner in future-generation space-based FIR astronomy. This work is unique within Canada, and the world, complements the existing research network both locally and internationally, will fortify existing and anticipated international collaborations into the future, and will provide training to many students and researchers through a combination of hands-on instrumentation, technology, technique, and data processing developments within the broad perspective of participation in international collaborations.**

最近，我回到了加拿大作为加拿大研究主席（CRC）在实验性天体物理学领域，以建立一个测试台，以探索远红外（FIR）波长在空间/光谱干涉率的挑战。这被广泛认为是将导致FIR成像光谱学下一个重大进步的技术。宇宙发出的能量的一半以上出现在相对未开发的FIR光谱区域中，其中大多数是从需要太空式仪器的地面位点不透明的。欧洲航天局普兰克（Planck）和赫歇尔（Herschel）望远镜最近在FIR中提供了第一个不受限制的宇宙景色。他们重新定义了当前的天体物理学，包括银河系和乳层外来的源，可能是最遥远的光子。赫歇尔（Herschel）的直径为350万镜子，还强调了“ fir间隙”，即与该频谱两侧设施提供的FIR相比，FIR的角度分辨率和灵敏度较大。许多Herschel的发现正在等待增强的空间分辨率后续观察，以解决宇宙新窗口中提出的问题。在FIR社区中，冷却的孔径和干涉法被确定为两个FIR路线图的优先事项。 Spica具有与Herschel相似的主要镜子，并且在稍短的波长下运行，其空间分辨率将比Herschel更好。 With its primary mirror actively cooled, and more sensitive detectors, SPICA is expected to outperform Herschel in sensitivity by a factor of 100. To greatly improve spatial resolution, traditional imaging must be replaced by interferometric techniques.****While my research program is focused on the development of a lab-based FIR interferometry testbed, it contributes to many aspects of the FIR roadmap including the exploitation of current results and facilities, and collaboration with未来的实验，设施和观测员。 FIR干涉量重点为莱斯布里奇大学（UL）天文仪器集团（AIG）开辟了新的研究途径，为成为未来代基于空间的Fir天文学的关键合作伙伴提供了一楼的机会。这项工作在加拿大境内是独一无二的，全世界在本地和国际上都对现有的研究网络进行了补充，它将加强现有和预期的国际合作，并通过在国际合作中的广泛参与观点范围内通过动手仪器，技术，技术和数据处理发展来为许多学生和研究人员提供培训。** ** ** ** **。