Galactic Nuclei; How Old, How Massive, and How Active?

澳大利亚的近红外积分场光谱仪将在夏威夷的双子座北8米望远镜上使用，以高空间分辨率研究附近星系核的质量、年龄和活动。许多附近的星系都含有大质量的核黑洞。了解这些黑洞附近发生的过程将有助于揭示星系是如何演化的，以及大质量黑洞如何继续与周围环境相互作用。这是国家科学研究院的核心科学计划。它将使用仪器团队获得的保证望远镜时间。NIFS是澳大利亚设计和建造的一种创新的新型近红外光谱仪。

Australia's Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) will be used on the Gemini North 8 m telescope in Hawaii to study the mass, age, and activity of the nuclei of nearby galaxies at high spatial resolution. Many nearby galaxies contain massive nuclear black holes. Understanding processes occurring near these black holes will shed light on how galaxies evolve and how massive black holes continue to interact with their surroundings. This is the NIFS core science program. It will use guaranteed telescope time granted to the instrument team. NIFS is an innovative new near-infrared spectrograph designed and constructed in Australia.