MAPS: The MMT Adaptive optics exoPlanet characterization System

该计划的目标是为亚利桑那州霍普金斯山上的MMT天文台开发一种自适应光学（AO）系统，用于观测和表征围绕太阳以外的恒星运行的行星（系外行星）。该系统缩写为MAPS。这项工作更广泛的影响包括天文仪器方面的学生和博士后的培训。MAPS团队将开发一个年度冬季学校，专注于本科生和研究生的培训和学术发展，并通过UA现有的天文营确定高级高中生。为期一周的学校将直接与MAPS调查人员、当地天文设施和与系外行星特征相关的真实数据集合作。该合同将支持升级自适应二次望远镜反射镜的技术开发，以提高自适应光学性能，同时为长波长（红外）观测保留所需的低背景。MAPS的最终目标是发展高空间分辨率的能力，以分辨行星和圆盘；(2)高光谱分辨率，开始了解其他系统的组成；(3)广泛的波长覆盖范围，探测系统的波长范围对深入研究至关重要。

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.