TMT-India Science Interests and Project Update

G.C. Anupama & R. Srianand

(On behalf of the TMT-India)

TMT-SAC Meeting: 22-23 November 2010, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A

TMT-India

Funding Agency – Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India

Principal Investigating Institutes –

Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics

(IUCAA), Pune Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences

(ARIES), Nainital Members from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),

Mumbai, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad and Universities

Steps towards TMT-India

Nearly three years of deliberations – several national workshops and discussion meetings

Astronomical community reached a consensus that the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project was the best suited for Indian participation, among the three proposed international mega optical and infrared telescope projects.

Submitted a detailed project report, in February, 2010, to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India.

The DST approved the report, and, on 24th June 2010, made an announcement about India's participation in the TMT project as an observer, with a serious intent towards partnership.

Science Starformation

Star forming regions (Galactic, nearby galaxies), YSOs and open clusters

Stellar Physics Elemental abundances – evolved stars (AGB, RR Lyrae), hydrogen deficient,

metal poor stars (CEMP), Lithium enriched Isotopic ratios

Milky way structure

Eruptive Variables and compact objects

Novae, Supernovae, GRBs, LMXBs

Galaxy formation and Evolution

Stellar population in local group and nearby galaxies, kinematics of high redshift galaxies, central engines

Early Universe

Solar system objects and Exoplanets

Science Interests with TMT

Formation and evolution of stars and planets

Star forming regions, YSOs, planetary atmospheres

Formation and evolution of galaxies The Milky Way Galaxy – structures and their origin and dynamics – age,

kinematics and chemical composition of stars Stellar population in the Local Group and nearby galaxies – kinematics and

dark matter content Study of baryonic mass assembly in distant galaxies Kinematics of star-forming galaxies at z=2-3 Supermassive blackholes and AGNs Occurrence of AGN phenomenon and blackhole formation in the early

universe

Science Interests with TMTThe chemical evolution and composition of the Universe

Nucleosynthesis in stars – chemical abundances The earliest stars: First stars, First Mass Function (FMF) Isotopic ratios - testing cosmic homogeneity Galaxy-Intergalactic medium interactions and metal enrichment Molecules at high-z

Stellar explosions and extreme objects

Supernovae and their progenitors GRB afterglows; GRB host galaxy Compact star in LMXBs and isolated neutron stars

Early Universe

Cosmology with Ly-alpha forest Probing the fundamental physics – QSO absorption lines CMB temperature – using fine-structure excitation lines of carbon in DLAs

Instrument Requirements

Generic instruments that are required to meet our science interests

Wide field optical imager

AO NIR imager

Low resolution NIR spectrometer (AO)

Multi-object low resolution spectrometer - optical and NIR (seeing limited, AO)

High resolution spectrometer – optical and NIR

Mid-infrared imager (AO)

Mid-infrared low resolution spectrometer

~30% of science proposals require high resolution spectrometer

~60-70% require imaging + low resolution spectroscopy

~20% require wide-field imaging and/or multi-object/IFU spectroscopy

~5-10% require mid-IR

~2% require polarisation

Instrument Requirements

TMT-India UpdateTMT-India has submitted a proposal to the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for funds for development of technology/prototypes under the following work packages

M1 Segment Support Assemblies

Edge Sensor

Actuators

M1 segment polishing

Software

Interested in participation in instruments – either through hardware/software development, or through man power (currently under discussion)

Seeking ~5M USD funds during the observer period

The performing institution/entity for all work packages approved by the TMT Project will be “TMT-India”