Collaborative Research: Coordinated Surveys to Study the Nature of Dark Energy

当今最紧迫的公开问题之一就是了解暗能量的本质，暗能量显然是宇宙加速膨胀的原因。该项目将对南方天空进行100平方度的多波段光学测量，结合更深层次的较小区域的图像，并配合一项毫米波测量，绘制宇宙微波背景(CMB)图，以探测星系团到中等红移。这些协调的调查将使迄今为止对星系团进行的最精确的宇宙学研究成为可能，并将使利用超新星距离、宇宙剪切和星系功率谱对暗能量进行补充研究成为可能。这项研究将使用美国国家科学基金会资助的塞罗托洛罗美洲天文台的布兰科望远镜和私人支持的麦哲伦望远镜，这两个望远镜都在智利运行，CMB的数据将来自美国国家科学基金会资助的南极望远镜，目前正在建设中。暗能量的关键科学问题已经引起了公众的极大兴趣。这项研究将利用NSF资助的多个设施的科学生产力，在实时图像分析和观测优化方面开辟新的天地，直接造福于目前处于规划阶段的未来大型调查，并延续研究生和本科生参与的传统。

AST-0507562FriemanOne of today's most pressing open issues is to understand the nature of the dark energy apparently responsible for the accelerating expansion of the Universe. This project will carry out a one hundred square degree multi-band optical survey of the southern sky, in conjunction with even deeper images of smaller fields, coordinated with a millimeter-wave survey that will map the cosmic microwave background (CMB) to detect galaxy clusters out to moderate redshifts. These coordinated surveys will enable the most precise cosmological study to date with galaxy clusters, and will enable complementary studies of the dark energy using supernova distances, cosmic shear, and the galaxy power spectrum. This research will use the NSF-supported Blanco telescope at the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, and the privately supported Magellan telescope, both operational in Chile, and the CMB data will come from the NSF-funded South Pole Telescope, currently under construction.The key science question of the dark energy has already engaged significant public interest. This research will leverage the scientific productivity of multiple NSF-funded facilities, break new ground in real-time image analysis and observing optimization, directly benefit future large surveys currently in the planning stages, and continue a tradition of graduate and undergraduate student participation.