Extracts

Canary Islands Telescope Sees “First Light’

The world”s largest telescope took its first peek into the heavens in July, ushering the University of Florida into the top ranks of the “big observers,’ as one astronomy professor put it. The Gran Telescopio Canarias, or GTC, under construction in Spain”s Canary Islands for the past seven years, held its “first light’ opening ceremony in July. UF, which contributed $5 million to the project and owns a 5-percent share, is the only U.S. institution with a stake in the massive telescope. “This is one of the largest international projects that the university is involved in, and first light is certainly a big step for a small department,’ said Stan Dermott, astronomy department chairman. The Spanish government is the main owner of the GTC, with UF and two institutes in Mexico as partners. As a result of its participation, UF astronomers will be allotted 20 nights of telescope time annually for observations. A UF-designed and built infrared imager and spectrometer, meanwhile, will be one of the first instruments mounted on the telescope when it opens for scientific observation next year. “We are not just passive partners in this project,’ Dermott said. “We are the world”s leader in developing astronomical instruments, and our instrument, CanariCam, will be one of the first instruments used on the GTC.’ Dermott said UF”s participation in the GTC effectively makes it one of a handful of institutions with guaranteed access to the world”s most powerful telescopes. That will open the door to a wide range of research not only at the GTC but elsewhere as well. “Already we are forming scientific teams that will involve other telescopes to take part in surveys of the distant universe,’ he said. “For example, Rafael Guzman is leading a team that will investigate the origin of galaxies. In a sense, we have joined the club of big observers now.’ Funded in part by the Spanish government with a $6.5 million grant, Guzman”s team of 40 astronomers from the U.S., Spain, France and England is conducting a survey called GOYA, or Galaxy Origins and Young Assembly. Other UF astronomers are also participating or heading GTC-related projects.