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OPTICON

Learn about OPTICON, a European network for optical-infrared astronomy. Explore its history, networking efforts, joint research projects, and the transnational access program.

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OPTICON

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  1. 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

  2. Outline • A bit of history • Networking • JRAs • Access programme • Conclusions

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. The OPTICON I3

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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)

  9. 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.

  10. 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)

  11. 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

  12. 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.

  13. 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%

  14. 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

  15. Joint Research Projects • JRA3: Astrophotonics : Develop requirements, investigate technology and build a photonic spectrograph testbench • JRA4: Interferometry: Evaluate and improve existing and futureinstruments for VLTI. Measure atmospheric and other parameters, help develop a new co-phaser for VLTI

  16. 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

  17. OPTICON Transnational Access programme .

  18. 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

  19. The Telescope Network

  20. The FP6 experience • 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

  21. The FP6 experience The GOOD news • Many users were supported. • 5 million Euro injected into European medium telescopes

  22. The FP6 experience The GOOD news • Many users were supported. • 5 million Euro injected into European medium telescopes The not such good news • Programme was dominated by UK, F, D, I. • Few CEE countries benefited. • We do not understand why.

  23. The FP6 experience The GOOD news • Many users were supported. • 5 million Euro injected into European medium telescopes 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?

  24. The FP7 Plan • 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

  25. 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.

  26. 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

  27. 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)

  28. 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

  29. 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)

  30. 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=400-40000 Not available at present

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. 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.

  34. FIN

  35. Contacts WWW. www.astro-opticon.org E-mail. jkd@roe.ac.uk Phone 44-131-668-8348

  36. Management OPTICON 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

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