Imaging the Far-Infrared Astrophysical Universe

远红外天体物理宇宙成像

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-03659
• 负责人: Spencer, Locke
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of Lethbridge
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=707981
• 关键词: Imaging; Far; Infrared; Astrophysical; Universe

I have recently returned to Canada as a Canada Research Chair (CRC) in experimental astrophysics to establish a testbed for exploring the challenges associated with spatial/spectral interferometry at Far-Infrared (FIR) wavelengths. This is widely regarded as the technology that will lead to the next major advance in FIR imaging spectroscopy. Over half of the energy emitted by the Universe appears in the relatively unexplored FIR spectral region, most of which is opaque from ground-based sites necessitating space-borne instrumentation. The European Space Agency Planck and Herschel telescopes have recently provided the first unfettered views of the universe in the FIR. They have redefined current astrophysics including galactic and extragalactic sources, to the most distant photons possible. Herschel, with its 3.5m diameter primary mirror, has also highlighted the "FIR gap", i.e. the dramatically poorer angular resolution and sensitivity in the FIR compared with that provided by facilities on either side of this spectrum. Many Herschel discoveries are waiting on enhanced spatial resolution follow-up observations to address the questions raised in this new window on the Universe. Within the FIR community, cooled apertures and interferometry are identified as two FIR roadmap priorities. The Japanese-led Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) is the next-generation Herschel. With a primary mirror of similar size to Herschel and operating at slightly shorter wavelengths, SPICA will have marginally better spatial resolution than Herschel. With its primary mirror actively cooled, and more sensitive detectors, SPICA is expected to outperform Herschel in sensitivity by a factor of 100. To greatly improve spatial resolution, traditional imaging must be replaced by interferometric techniques. While my research program is focused on the development of a lab-based FIR interferometry testbed, it contributes to many aspects of the FIR roadmap including the exploitation of current results and facilities, and collaboration with future experiments, facilities, and observatories. The FIR interferometry focus opens a new research avenue for the University of Lethbridge (UL) Astronomical Instrumentation Group (AIG), providing a ground floor opportunity to become a key partner in future-generation space-based FIR astronomy. This work is unique within Canada, and the world, complements the existing research network both locally and internationally, will fortify existing and anticipated international collaborations into the future, and will provide training to many students and researchers through a combination of hands-on instrumentation, technology, technique, and data processing developments within the broad perspective of participation in international collaborations.

我最近作为加拿大实验天体物理学研究主席 (CRC) 回到加拿大，建立一个测试平台，探索与远红外 (FIR) 波长空间/光谱干涉测量相关的挑战。这项技术被广泛认为将推动远红外成像光谱学的下一个重大进步。宇宙发射的一半以上的能量出现在相对未经探索的远红外光谱区域，其中大部分从地面站点来看是不透明的，因此需要星载仪器。欧洲航天局的普朗克望远镜和赫歇尔望远镜最近首次在远红外线中提供了不受限制的宇宙视图。他们重新定义了当前的天体物理学，包括银河系和河外源，以及可能的最远光子。赫歇尔以其直径 3.5m 的主镜还强调了“FIR 差距”，即与该光谱两侧的设施相比，FIR 的角分辨率和灵敏度要差得多。赫歇尔的许多发现正在等待增强的空间分辨率后续观测，以解决这个宇宙新窗口中提出的问题。在 FIR 社区内，冷却孔径和干涉测量被确定为 FIR 路线图的两个优先事项。 日本领导的宇宙学和天体物理学太空红外望远镜（SPICA）是下一代赫歇尔望远镜。由于主镜的尺寸与赫歇尔相似并且工作波长稍短，SPICA 的空间分辨率将略高于赫歇尔。凭借主动冷却的主镜和更灵敏的探测器，SPICA 的灵敏度预计将比赫歇尔高出 100 倍。为了大幅提高空间分辨率，必须用干涉技术取代传统成像。 虽然我的研究项目专注于开发基于实验室的 FIR 干涉测量测试台，但它对 FIR 路线图的许多方面做出了贡献，包括利用当前结果和设施，以及与未来实验、设施和天文台的合作。 FIR 干涉测量为莱斯布里奇大学 (UL) 天文仪器小组 (AIG) 开辟了一条新的研究途径，为成为未来一代天基 FIR 天文学的关键合作伙伴提供了底层机会。这项工作在加拿大乃至全世界都是独一无二的，补充了本地和国际上现有的研究网络，将加强现有和预期的未来国际合作，并将通过实践仪器的结合为许多学生和研究人员提供培训，参与国际合作的广阔视野中的技术、工艺和数据处理发展。