opticon the optical infrared co-ordination network for astronomy. fp7: plans and opportunities john...
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OPTICON The Optical Infrared Co-ordination Network for Astronomy.
FP7: Plans and Opportunities
John Davies
OPTICON Project Scientist.
UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC)
Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Outline• A bit of history
• Networking
• JRAs
• Access programme
• Conclusions
OPTICON in FP5
In FP5 (2000-2004) OPTICON was an EU funded thematic network (1 million Euro) bringing together national funding agencies and users with common interests in optical-infrared astronomy.
In FP6 (2004-2008) a much larger OPTICON consortium was awarded a 19.2 million Euro
contract to operate as an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (I3).
•Networking via 15 working groups
•Transnational access to 18 Night-time and 4 solar telescopes
• Six Joint Research Projects in Technology
The OPTICON I3
OPTICON in FP7
A smaller OPTICON consortium has been awarded a 4 year, 10 Million Euro grant for FP7.
Although there are administrative differences, the programme has the same elements as the I3, ie networking , technology development and a trans-national access programme.
The management structure is similar to the successful FP6 programme
Networking The objective is to bring together groups of
people with similar interests who are presently spread out all over Europe.
Then get these people to identify sets of gaols and priorities that everyone can support so Europe wide resources can be mobilised.
OPTICON I3 Networking (1)
• WP 9.1 Key Technologies Working Group (Cunningham)
• WP 9.2 Future Astronomical Software Environment (Grosbol)
• WP 10.1 E-ELT Science case development (Hook)
• WP 10.2 High Time Resolution Astrophysics (Shearer)
OPTICON I3 Networking (2)
WP 11. OPTICAL-IR (M. Dennefeld)
• Observing schools (NEON)
• Exchange Grants (LaCaille )
• Conferences
WP 11. INTERFEROMETRY (Paulo Garcia)
• Exchange Grants (Fizeau)
• CS Disk Science Working group.
• AGN Science working group
• Science case for next generation facility.
• European Interferometry initiative.
OPTICON I3 Networking (3)• WP 12.1 Telescope Directors Forum and Access programme (J Davies)
• WP 12.2 ASTRONET-OPTICON ETSRC (Drew/Bergeron)
Charged by ASTRONET (ie funding agencies) to produce a plan for a rationalised suite of European 2-4m telescopes able to deliver the ASTRONET science vision. Web based consultation going on now
• WP 12.3 European Association of Solar Telescopes.
Solar astronomy activity to mobilise support for EST and move
towards joint operation of VTT, Themis, DOT,
SST (+ Gregor + eventually EST)
Networking Key Points
• These networks are open to new members.
• Travel and incidental costs (but not salaries) can be refunded by OPTICON at 100%
• New networks could be set up in FP7-II which will be proposed in about 18 months time
JRA activities• JRA are technology research and
development activities designed to enhance the capabilities of European observatories.
• Details of each JRA is linked from the OPTICON web page
• In general they are not open to new partners as the contract is already signed.
JRA activities• JRA are technology research and
development activities designed to enhance the capabilities of European observatories.
• Details of each JRA is linked from the OPTICON web page
• In general they are not open to new partners as the contract is already signed.
Different JRAs may be set up in FP7-II, but note that EC funding is at 50-75%
Joint Research Projects • JRA1: Adaptive Optics. : AO for existing 8m and solar telescopes.
Includes MOAO at WHT, Planet
Finder at VLT, GLAO at LBT,
lasers, RTC platforms & software.
• JRA2: Detectors for AO : Develop fast Optical detectors
for use with Laser Guide
Stars
Joint Research Projects • JRA3: Astrophotonics : Develop requirements,
investigate technology and build a photonic spectrograph testbench
• JRA4: Interferometry: Evaluate and improve existing and future instruments for VLTI. Measure atmospheric and other parameters, help develop a new co-phaser for VLTI
• JRA5: Smart Instrument Technologies: Develop new instrument architectures, optical components and micro devices for next generation instruments.
• JRA6: New Materials and Processes. VPH grating development, including organic ,
photosensitive and polymer based materials
OPTICON Transnational Access
programme
.
The Challenge• For historical reasons Europe’s expensive and rare
infrastructures are not evenly distributed.• The EC wishes to improve access to non-national
observing time (an ERA).• To provide resources for operation of the
telescopes and support of observing runs• To implement common R & D projects for
infrastructure improvements
The Telescope NetworkAnglo Australian Observatory 3.5m Telescope
Anglo Australian Observatory Schmidt Telescope
Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman 3.5m Telescope
Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman 2.2m Telescope
Canada France Hawaii Telescope 3.5m Telescope
La Silla 3.6m Telescope
La Silla 3.5m Telescope
La Silla 2.2m Telescope
Isaac Newton Group 4.2m Telescope
Isaac Newton Group 2.5m Telescope
UK Infrared Telescope 3.8m Telescope
TNG 3.5m Telescope
Nordic Optical Telescope 2.5m Telescope
Aristarchos 2.5m Telescope
Observatoire Haute Provence 1.9m Telescope
Telescope Bernard Lyot 2m Telescope
Telescopio Carlos Sancez 1.52m Telescope
THEMIS Solar Telescope
Swedish Solar Telescope Solar Telescope
Vacuum Tower Telescope Solar Telescope
Liverpool Telescope 2m Telescope
Dutch Open Telescope Solar Telescope
• OPTICON and network telescopes publicised their availability to non-national users.
• Same national peer review committees, same standards (no special OPTICON TAC).
• Successful qualifying applicants were given travel support.
• Telescopes received audited ‘user fee’ equal to the operational costs for those nights
The FP6 experience
• Many users were supported.• 5 million Euro injected into European medium
telescopes
The FP6 experienceThe GOOD news
• Many users were supported.• 5 million Euro injected into European medium
telescopes
The FP6 experienceThe GOOD news
The not such good news
• Programme was dominated by UK, F, D, I.• Few CEE countries benefited.• We do not understand why.
• Many users were supported.• 5 million Euro injected into European medium
telescopes
The FP6 experienceThe GOOD news
The not such good news
• Programme was dominated by UK, F, D, I.• Few CEE countries benefited.• We do not understand why.
Different scientific interests of these communities?Disbelief that the operators actually mean what they say?Different application systems and philosophies?
• Business as usual for the moment (2009)
• From 2010 a special OPTICON TAC will allocate time across whole night time network using a single proposal system .
• TAC will take account of special circumstances of new users
• Successful qualifying applicants will given travel support as before
• Telescopes receive ‘user fee’ based on demand, not pre-defined quotas as in FP6
The FP7 Plan
To qualify for support the PI and 50% of the observing team must be from countries which do not ‘own’ the telescope.
Projects must be scientifically viable but account can be given to the strategic European dimension
TAC will be comprised of a mixed group of nationalities
Projects will be ranked in order and allocated until the money available in the OPTICON pot for that semester runs out.
The FP7 Plan
OPTICAL IMAGING:
MEGACAM @ CFHT, WFC @ INT
MOSCA,LIACA @ CAHA 3.5
CAFOS,BUSCA @ CAHA 2.2
PFIP@ WHT
DOLORES,OIG @ TNG
ALFSOC,MOSCA @ NOT
RATCAM @ LT
OPTICAL Spectroscopy: High Resolution
NARVAL @ TBL: R-65000
SARG @ TNG R=29000-164000
ELODIE @ OHP R=40000-75000
FOCES @ CAHA 2.2 R=50000
UHRF @ AAT R=300000-940000
ESPADONS @ CFHT R= 70000 (+Polarimetry)
OPTICAL Spectroscopy: Medium Resolution
MOSCA, TWIN & PMASS @ CAHA R-400-14000
IDS @ INT R=1500-40000
EFSOC-2 @ ESO NTT R=1500-5000
ALSOFC @ NOT R=500-10000
DOLORES @ TNG R=500-6000
Infrared Imaging (0.9-2.5um)
NOTCAM @ NOT, NICS @ TNG, CAIN-II @ CST
IRIS-II @ AAT, LIRIS @ WHT , SOFI @ NTT
O-CASS @ CAHA 3.5, MAGIC @ CAHA 2.2
INGRID @ WHT, (HIGH RES-AO)
AOB/KIR @CFHT, (HIGH RES-AO) ALFA @ CAHA 3.5
WFCAM @ UKIRT (WIDE FIELD)
UIST @ UKIRT (1-5um) Not available at present
WIRCAM @ CFHT (WIDE FIELD)
Infrared Spectroscopy
NOTCAM @ NOT R=2500-5500
SOFI @ NTT R=600-1500
LIRIS @ WHT R= 750-2500
MAGIC @ CAHA 2.2 R=100-400
O-CASS @ CAHA 3.5 R=400-4000
GRIF @ CFHT R= 400-2000
UIST @ UKIRT R=600-5000
CGS4 @ UKIRT R=400-40000Not available at present
Special facilities
Robotic operation for monitoring @ LT
Lucky imaging FASTCAM @ CST
Near-IR AO coronograph OSCA for INGRID @ WHT
Planet Hunting HARPS @ ESO R=120000
Adaptive Optics platform @ WHT
Integral field spectroscopy GRIF @ CFHT
IR imaging polarimetry NOTCAM @ NOT, SOFI@NTT
Access programme summary• The OPTICON network provides optical-IR imaging and
spectroscopy at all spectral and spatial resolutions between 0.3 to 5um.
• All these telescopes are open to you free of charge.
• Collaboration with nationals of these telescopes is OK provide 50%+ of team are from other EC countries.
• International TAC will mean all projects treated the same.
• Workshops are being held to help identify hot topics
• There are 100% travel grants to take up observing time
Conclusion• OPTICON has made real progress in co-ordination
of Optical/IR astronomy• All networks are open to new members • A wide range of EU optical-IR-night-solar
telescopes are wide open for new users• Possibility to use these telescopes for teaching
schemes (eg NEON- Dennefeld)
• The door is open, you just have to walk through.
FIN
ManagementOPTICON Board sets overall strategy and priorities
Executive committee make the detailed decisions
Cambridge (Gerry Gilmore) is co-ordinator and finance office.
Project Office (John Davies, UKATC) supports board, runs some networks, attends board, proposes budgets etc
Access Office (ING) runs telescope grants
JRA’s and some networks have internal management