Messenger No. 122 (December 2005)

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Telescopes and Instrumentation

2-5 (PDF)
R. Sharples, R. Bender et al.
Surveying the High-Redshift Universe with KMOS

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122....2S
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Sharples, R.; Bender, R.; Bennett, R.; Burch, K.; Carter, P.; Casali, M.; Clark, P.l; Content, R.; Davies, R.; Davies, R.; Dubbeldam, M.; Finger, G.; Genzel, R.; Haefner, R.; Hess, A.; Kissler-Patig, M.; Laidlaw, K.; Lehnert, M.; Lewis, I.; Moorwood, A.; Muschielok, B.; Foester Schreiber, N.; Pirard, J.; Ramsay Howat, S.; Rees, P.; Richter, J.; Robertson, D.; Robson, I.; Saglia, R.; Tecza, M.; Thatte, N.; Todd, S.; Wegner, M.
AA(Department of Physics, University of Durham, United Kingdom) AB(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany & Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AC(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AD(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AE(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AF(ESO) AG(Department of Physics, University of Durham, United Kingdom) AH(Department of Physics, University of Durham, United Kingdom) AI(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AJ(Sub-Department of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom) AK(Department of Physics, University of Durham, United Kingdom) AL(ESO) AM(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AN(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany) AO(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany) AP(ESO) AQ(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AR(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AS(Sub-Department of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom) AT(ESO) AU(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany) AV(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AW(ESO) AX(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AY(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AZ(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany) BA(Department of Physics, University of Durham, United Kingdom) BB(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) BC(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany) BD(Sub-Department of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom) BE(Sub-Department of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom) BF(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) BG(Universitätssternwarte München, Germany)
Abstract:
KMOS is a near-infrared multi-object integral-field spectrometer which has been selected by ESO as one of a suite of second-generation instruments to be constructed for the VLT. The instrument will be built by a consortium of UK and German institutes working in partnership with ESO and is currently in the preliminary design phase. KMOS will be capable of obtaining simultaneous spatially resolved spectroscopy at a sampling of 0.2 arcseconds for up to 24 targets distributed over a field of view of 7.2 arcminutes diameter.
References:
Content, R. 1997, Proc. SPIE, 2871, 1295
Dubbeldam, M. et al. 2000, Proc. SPIE, 4008, 1181
Eisenhauer, F. et al. 2003, The Messenger 113, 17
Noll, S. et al. 2004, A&A, 418, 885
Tecza, M. et al. 2004, Proc. SPIE, 5492, 1395
6-9 (PDF)
S. D'Odorico
Instrument Concepts for the OWL Telescope

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122....6D
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
D'Odorico, S.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
During the past year ESO has coordinated a number of instrument concept studies as a complement to the OWL Observatory Design Study. Eight teams of scientists and engineers from different institutes in Europe and ESO have identified a variety of science programmes at the frontier of astrophysics and developed concepts of instruments at OWL which would be able to carry them out. This exercise has provided a first view of the unique astronomical observations at Blue to IR wavelengths which will become possible with a future European Extremely Large Telescope.
References:
The OWL Instrument Concept Studies have been
published as ESO internal reports. They can be obtained
from the PI’s or ESO.
(1) D’Odorico S., Moorwood A. F .M., Beckers, J.
1991, Journal of Optics 22, 85
(2) CODEX, Cosmic Dynamics Experiment,
OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0160, October 2005
(3) T-OWL, Thermal Infrared Imager and Spectrograph
for OWL, OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0161, October
2005
(4) QuantEYE, OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0162, October
2005
(5) SCOWL, Submillimeter Camera for OWL;
OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0163, September 2005
(6) MOMFIS, Multi Object Multi Field IR Spectrograph,
OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0164, September 2005
(7) ONIRICA, OWL NIR Imaging Camera,
OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0165, October 2005
(8) EPICS, Earth-like Planet Imaging Camera and
Spectrograph, OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0166,
October 2005
(9) HyTNIC, Hyper-Telescope Near Infrared Camera,
OWL–CSR-ESO-00000-0167, October 2005
9-9 (PDF)
M. Almudena Prieto, W. Maciejewski et al.
The centre of the active galaxy NGC 1097.

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122....9A
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Almudena Prieto, M.; Maciejewski, W.; Reunanen, J.
AA(Max-Planck Institute für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany) AB(University of Oxford, UK) AC(ESO)
Abstract:
Near-infrared images of the active galaxy NGC 1097 have been obtained by a team of astronomers1 using NACO on the VLT. Located at a distance of about 45 million light years in the southern constellation Fornax, NGC 1097 is a relatively bright, barred spiral galaxy seen face-on. It is a very moderate example of an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN), whose emission is thought to arise from matter (gas and stars) falling into a central black hole. NGC 1097 possesses a comparatively faint nucleus only, indicating that the infall rate is small.
10-14 (PDF)
L. Pasquini, S. Cristiani et al.
CODEX: Measuring the Expansion of the Universe (and beyond)

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...10P
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Pasquini, L.; Cristiani, S.; Dekker, H.; Haehnelt, M.; Molaro, P.; Pepe, F.; Avila, G.; Delabre, B.; D'Odorico, S.; Liske, J.; Shaver, P.; Bonifacio, P.; Borgani, S.; D'Odorico, V.; Vanzella, E.; Bouchy, F.; Dessauges-Lavadsky, M.; Lovis, C.; Mayor, M.; Queloz, D.; Udry, S.; Murphy, M.; Viel, M.; Grazian, A.; Levshakov, S.; Moscardini, L.; Wiklind, T.; Zucker, S.
AA(ESO) AB(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AC(ESO) AD(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University, United Kingdom) AE(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AF(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AG(ESO) AH(ESO) AI(ESO) AJ(ESO) AK(ESO) AL(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AM(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AN(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AO(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AP(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AQ(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AR(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AS(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AT(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AU(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) AV(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University, United Kingdom) AW(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University, United Kingdom) AX(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma, Italy) AY(Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation) AZ(University of Bologna, Italy) BA(ESA-STScI) BB(Weizmann Institute of Science, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Abstract:
CODEX, a high-resolution, super-stable spectrograph to be fed by OWL, the most powerful telescope ever conceived, will for the first time provide the possibility of directly measuring the change of the expansion rate of the Universe with time ... and much more. The concept of this instrument has been studied in a collaboration launched by ESO in July 2004 together with INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University, and the Observatoire de Geneve.
References:
Mayor, M. et al. 2002, The Messenger 110, 9
Murphy, M. T. et al. 2001, MNRAS 327, 1244
Rauch, M. 1998, ARA&A, 36, 267
Sandage, A. 1962, ApJ 136, 319
14-14 (PDF)
ESO
Afterglows of Elusive Short Gamma-Ray Bursts

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...14.
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
An international team of astronomers1 has for the first time observed the visible light from a short gamma-ray burst (GRB). Using the 1.5-m Danish telescope at La Silla (Chile), they showed that these short, intense bursts of gamma-ray emission most likely originate from the violent collision of two merging neutron stars. The same team has also used the VLT to constrain the birthplace of the first ever short burst whose position could be pinpointed with high precision. The results were published in the October 6 issue of the journal Nature.
15-16 (PDF)
T. Wilson
ALMA News

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...15W
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Wilson, T.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
An independent international Cost Review of the ALMA project was held in Garmisch- Partenkirchen on October 13–16. The general response of the Cost Review Committee was positive. The three ALMA Project Managers (Tony Beasley, Joint ALMA Office; Adrian Russell, North America; Hans Rykaczewski, Europe) wrote that “The response from the committee is pretty much as good as it could be ...” Massimo Tarenghi, the ALMA Director, added “This excellent outcome reflects the very hard work of many people in the ALMA project, and the conscientious way in which the review was carried out.” More details of the review will follow when the final report becomes available.
17-17 (PDF)
ESO
ALMA Antenna Contract Signed

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...17.
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
On December 6, ESO signed a contract with the consortium led by Alcatel Alenia Space and composed also of European Industrial Engineering (Italy) and MT Aerospace (Germany), to supply 25 antennas for the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) project, along with an option for another seven antennas. The contract, worth 147 million euros, covers the design, manufacture, transport and on-site integration of the antennas. It is the largest contract ever signed in ground-based astronomy in Europe.
18-18 (PDF)
G. Argandona, F. Mirabel
Inauguration of the APEX Telescope

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...18A
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Argandona, G.; Mirabel, F.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
The serene Andean village of San Pedro de Atacama, in northern Chile, was the epicentre of the two-day official inauguration of APEX, the 12-metre telescope working at the Llano of Chajnantor.
19-21 (PDF)
H. Kuntschner, M. Kuemmel et al.
Towards an Automatic Reduction of FORS2-MXU Spectroscopy

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...19K
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Kuntschner, H.; Kuemmel, M.; Larsen, S.; Walsh, J.
AA(ST-ECF) AB(ST-ECF) AC(ST-ECF) AD(ST-ECF)
Abstract:
A brief report is presented of a feasibility study for an automatic, science quality spectral extraction of FORS2-MXU spectra using the aXe package developed for slitless spectroscopy. We briefly describe the aXe data reduction concept, which is usually applied to HST-ACS data, and demonstrate the applicability of this concept by reducing a subset of the Great Observatories Origins Survey (GOODS) FORS2 spectroscopic survey.
References:
Pirzkal, N., Xu, C., Malhotra, S. et al. 2004, ApJS
154, 501
Riess, A., Strolger, L. G., Tonry J. et al. 2004, ApJ
607, 665
Vanzella et al. 2005, A&A 434, 53
Walsh, J., Kümmel, M., Larsen, S. 2004, ST-ECF
Newsletter 36, 8
Walsh, J., Pirzkal, N. 2005, ACS instrument science
report 05-02
22-24 (PDF)
P. Padovani, P. Quinn
The Virtual Observatory in Europe and at ESO

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...22P
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Padovani, P.; Quinn, P.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
Virtual Observatories are moving from a 'research and development' to an 'operational' phase. We report on the EURO-VO, a project to build an operational Virtual Observatory in Europe, and on the new Virtual Observatory Systems department at ESO.
References:
Capaccioli, M., Mancini, D., Sedmak, G. 2005,
The Messenger 120, 10
Cappellaro, E. 2005, The Messenger 120, 13
Emerson, J. P. et al. 2005, The Messenger 117, 26
Padovani, P. et al. 2004a, A&A 424, 545
Padovani, P. et al. 2004b, The Messenger 117, 58
Padovani, P., Dolensky, M. 2005, The Messenger 121,
60

Reports from Observers

25-27 (PDF)
E. Vanzella, S. Cristiani et al.
GOODS' Look at Galaxies in the Young Universe

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...25V
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Vanzella, E.; Cristiani, S.; Dickinson, M.; Kuntschner, H.; Rettura, A.; Moustakas, L. A.; Nonino, M.; Popesso, P.; Rosati, P.; Stern, D.; Cesarsky, C.; Ferguson, H. C.; Foxbury, R. A. E.; Giavalisco, M.; Haase, J.; Renzini, A.; The Goods Team
AA(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AB(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AC(National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Arizona, USA) AD(ST-ECF & ESO) AE(ESO & Université Paris-Sud XI, France) AF(Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA) AG(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AH(ESO) AI(ESO) AJ(Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA) AK(ESO) AL(Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA) AM(ST-ECF) AN(Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA) AO(ST-ECF) AP(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy) AQ(the GOODS Team)
Abstract:
The Great Observatories Origin Deep Survey is using the most advanced observing facilities, ESO/VLT, HST, Spitzer, Chandra, XMM/Newton, etc. to discover infant galaxies at epochs when the Universe was only 900 million years old. The FORS2 spectroscopic survey has confirmed 33 galaxies in the redshift interval 5 < z < 6.2, producing one of the largest spectroscopic samples in that redshift range to date.
References:
M. Dickinson et al. 2004, ApJ 600, 99
L. Eyles et al. 2005, (astro-ph/0502385)
R. Fosbury et al. 2003, ApJ 596, 797
M. Giavalisco et al. 2004b, ApJ 600, L 103
E. Hu et al. 2004, AJ 127, 563
K. Lee et al. 2005, Submitted to ApJ
(astro-ph/0508090)
N. Panagia et al. 2005, ApJ 663, L1
A. E. Shapley et al. 2003, AJ 588, 65
C. C. Steidel et al. 1999, ApJ 519, 1
E. Vanzella et al. 2005, A&A 434, 53
28-31 (PDF)
Linda J. Tacconi, Kalliopi Dasyra et al.
The Dynamics and Evolution of Luminous Galaxy Mergers: ISAAC Spectroscopy of ULIRGs

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...28T
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Tacconi, Linda J.; Dasyra, Kalliopi; Davies, Richard; Genzel, Reinhard; Lutz, Dieter; Burkert, Andreas; Naab, Thorsten; Sturm, Eckhard; Veilleux, Sylvain; Baker, Andrew J.; Sanders, David B.
AA(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AB(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AC(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AD(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AE(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AF(Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität, Department für Physik, Munich, Germany) AG(Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität, Department für Physik, Munich, Germany) AH(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AI(University of Maryland, USA) AJ(University of Maryland, USA & NRAO, Charlottesville, USA) AK(Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, USA)
Abstract:
Local ultraluminous galaxy mergers provide us with a quantitative observational means to track an important process for galaxy formation and evolution at high redshift. This article presents first results from a near-infrared spectroscopic study of a moderately large sample of local Universe mergers that we have undertaken at the VLT with ISAAC. This study is providing compelling observational evidence that mergers of near-equal-mass, gas-rich galaxies can evolve into intermediate-mass elliptical galaxies after passing through an ultraluminous infrared phase.
References:
Barnes, J. E., Hernquist, L. 1996, ApJ 471, 115
Bender, R. et al. 1992, ApJ 399, 462
Bendo, G. J., Barnes, J. E. 2000, MNRAS 316, 315
Dasyra, K. M. et al. 2005, ApJ, in press, astro-ph/
0510670
Downes, D., Solomon, P. M. 1998, ApJ 507, 615
Genzel, R. et al. 2001, ApJ 563, 527
James, P. et al. 1999, MNRAS 309, 585
Kim, D.-C, Sanders, D. B. 1998, ApJS 119, 41
Naab, T., Burkert, A. 2003, ApJ 597, 893
Pahre, M. A. 1999, ApJS 124, 127
Sanders, D. et al. 1988, ApJ 328, L 35
Shier, L. M., Fischer, J. 1998, ApJ 497, 163
Tacconi, L. J. et al. 2002, ApJ 580, 73
Veilleux, S. et al. 2002, ApJS 143, 315
31-31 (PDF)
ESO
Supernova in NGC 1559

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...31.
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
32-35 (PDF)
Poul E. Nissen, Martin Asplund et al.
Lithium Isotopic Abundances in Metal-Poor Stars: A Problem for Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis?

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...32N
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Nissen, Poul E.; Asplund, Martin; Lambert, David L.; Primas, Francesca; Smith, Verne V.
AA(Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark) AB(Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory, Australia) AC(The W. J. McDonald Observatory, The University of Texas at Austin, USA) AD(ESO) AE(National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, USA)
Abstract:
Spectra obtained with VLT/UVES suggest the existence of the Li isotope in several metal-poor stars at a level that challenges ideas about its synthesis. The Li abundance is, on the other hand, a factor of three lower than predicted by standard Big Bang nucleosynthesis theory. Both problems may be explained if decaying supersymmetric particles affect the synthesis of light elements in the Big Bang.
References:
Asplund, M. et al. 2005, astro-ph/0510636
Cayrel, R. et al. 1999, A&A, 343, 923
Coc, A. et al. 2004, ApJ 600, 544
Hobbs, L. M. and Thorburn, J. A. 1994, ApJ 428,
L 25
Jedamzik, K. 2004, Phys. Rev. D 70, 063524
Ramaty, R., et al. 2000, ApJ 534, 747
Richard, O., Michaud, G., and Richer, J. 2005,
ApJ 619, 538
Rollinde, E., Vangioni, E., and Olive, K. 2005,
ApJ 627, 666
Smith, V. V., Lambert, D. L., and Nissen, P. E. 1993,
ApJ 408, 262
Spite, F. and Spite, M. 1982, A&A 115, 357
Suzuki, T. K. and Inoue, S. 2002, ApJ 573, 168
VandenBerg, D. A. et al. 2000, ApJ 532, 430
36-38 (PDF)
C. Evans, S. Smartt et al.
The VLT-FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...36E
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Evans, C.; Smartt, S.; Lennon, D.; Dufton, P.; Hunter, I.; Mokiem, R.; de Koter, A.; Irwin, M.
AA(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh, United Kingdom & Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, La Palma, Spain) AB(Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland) AC(Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, La Palma, Spain) AD(Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland) AE(Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland) AF(University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands) AG(University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands) AH(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, United Kingdom)
Abstract:
We have observed an unprecedented sample of 800 massive stars in open cluster fields in the Magellanic Clouds and Milky Way, primarily with the multi-fibre FLAMES instrument. The survey addresses the role of environment, via stellar rotation and mass-loss, on the evolution of the most massive stars, which are the dominating influence on the evolution of young, star-forming galaxies.
References:
Crowther P. A. et al. 2006, A&A in press,
astro-ph/0509436
Evans C. J. et al. 2004, PASP 116, 909
Evans C. J. et al. 2005, A&A 437, 467
Kudritzki R.-P. et al. 1987, A&A 173, 293
Maeder A. et al. 1999, A&A 346, 459
Maeder, A. and Meynet, G. 2001, A&A 373, 555
Mokiem M. R. et al. 2005, A&A 441, 711
Parker J. W. et al. 1992, AJ 103, 1205
Puls J. et al. 1996, A&A 305, 171
39-41 (PDF)
M. P. Doellinger, L. Pasquini et al.
Why are G and K Giants Radial Velocity Variables?

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...39D
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Doellinger, M. P.; Pasquini, L.; Hatzes, A. P.; Setiawan, J.; da Silva, L.; Renan de Medeiros, J.; von der Luehe, O.; Girardi, L.; di Mauro, M. P.; Weiss, A.; Roth, M.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg, Germany) AD(Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany) AE(Observatorio Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) AF(Departamento de Fisica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil) AG(Kiepenheuer-Institut für Sonnenphysik, Freiburg, Germany) AH(INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Italy) AI(INAF – Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica, Roma, Italy) AJ(Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik, Garching bei München, Germany) AK(Kiepenheuer-Institut für Sonnenphysik, Freiburg, Germany)
Abstract:
During the past year ESO has coordinated a number of instrument concept studies as a complement to the OWL Observatory Design Study. Eight teams of scientists and engineers from different institutes in Europe and ESO have identified a variety of science programmes at the frontier of astrophysics and developed concepts of instruments at OWL which would be able to carry them out. This exercise has provided a first view of the unique astronomical observations at Blue to IR wavelengths which will become possible with a future European Extremely Large Telescope.
References:
Frandsen, S., Carrier, F., Aerts, C. et al. 2002, A&A
394, L5
Kim, K. M., Mkrtichian, D. E., Lee, B. C., Han, I., and
Hatzes, A. P., A&A, submitted
Kjeldsen, H., Bedding, T. R., Baldry, I. K. et al. 2003,
AJ 126, 1483
Pasquini, L., Pallavicini, R., Pakull, M. 1988, A&A 191,
253
Santos, N. C., Israelian, G., Mayor, M. 2004, A&A
415, 1153
Setiawan, J., Pasquini, L., da Silva, L., 2004, A&A,
421, 241
Setiawan, J., Rodmann, J., da Silva, L. et al. 2005,
A&A 437, L 31

Other Astronomical News

42-43 (PDF)
A.-M. Lagrange
ASTRONET: Towards a Strategic Plan for European Astronomy

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...42L
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Lagrange, A.-M.
AA(ASTRONET Coordinator (CNRS/INSU, France))
Abstract:
Establishing a comprehensive long-term plan for the development of European astronomy – optical and radio, ground and space – has been discussed for many years, but still waits to be done. Also, European astronomy would benefit much from better-coordinated actions among countries. A consortium of European funding agencies is now launching ASTRONET, a four-year ERANET initiative to achieve these goals.
44-45 (PDF)
R. A. E. Fosbury
The Current and Future ST-ECF

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...44F
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Fosbury, R. A. E.
AA(ST-ECF)
Abstract:
After 15 years in orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope is facing an uncertain future although there is a real possibility of a fifth servicing mission within the next two to three years. ESA and ESO have jointly been pondering the future of the ST-ECF at the ESO headquarters in Garching and this article outlines their conclusions.
References:
Sansonetti, C. J., Kerber, F., Reader, J., and Rosa,
M. R., “Characterization of the Far-ultraviolet
Spectrum of Pt /Cr-Ne Hollow Cathode Lamps as
Used on the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph
on Board the Hubble Space Telescope”,
2004, Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
153, 555–579
45-45 (PDF)
ESO
PPARC Council at ESO

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...45.
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
46-46 (PDF)
H. Boffin
Open House at ESO Garching

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...46B
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Boffin, H.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
On October 22, ESO in Garching opened its doors to the public, as part of the traditional all-campus Open House. The event was successful again this year, clearly generating a lot of public interest, with 2000–2500 visitors passing through our building within a seven-hour period. For ESO, the Open House is an important element of our continued dialogue with the local community, playing a key role in maintaining awareness about astronomy in general and about our organisation in particular.
47-48 (PDF)
D. Pierce-Price, H. Boffin et al.
Science on Stage 2005

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...47P
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Pierce-Price, D.; Boffin, H.; Madsen, C.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(ESO)
Abstract:
“Science on Stage”, the European Science Teaching Festival, is a major educational outreach programme for science teachers. It aims to identify and foster innovation within formal science education by means of exchange of best practice, workshops and seminars involving educators from all over Europe.
47-47 (PDF)
G. Argandona, F. Mirabel
Danish Minister visits ESO Chile

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...47A
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Argandona, G.; Mirabel, F.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
On October 21, the Danish Minister for Education, Mr. Bertel Haarder, paid a visit to ESO in Santiago, accompanied by a small entourage including the Danish Ambassador to Chile, Anita Hugau.
48-49 (PDF)
C. Madsen
ESO at Cer 2005

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...48M
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Madsen, C.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
On November 14–15, the Brussels Exhibition Centre (Heysel) was the home of a major international conference on science communication with the title “Communicating European Research” (CER 2005).
49-52 (PDF)
J. Walsh, M. Kissler-Patig
Report on the Conference on Science Perspectives for 3D Spectroscopy

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...49W
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Walsh, J.; Kissler-Patig, M.
AA(ST-ECF) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
About four years ago when discussions were taking place to plan the proposal to the European Commission for a Research Training Network (RTN) on 3D spectroscopy, we decided to make an international conference one of the closing highpoints of the network. At that time there were only a few 3D instruments routinely taking data on large telescopes (such as Integral on the WHT and Oasis on the CFHT) and some of us thought that a full-scale international conference on science with 3D spectroscopy might be rather difficult to fill. However, as it transpired, we had problems containing the conference in four and a half days. The RTN, called Euro3D, shared the hosting of the conference with ESO and it was held at ESO Headquarters in Garching from October 10–14, 2005.
52-53 (PDF)
ESO
Report on the Science Day in Honour of Alvio Renzini

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...52.
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The scientific legacy of Alvio Renzini was celebrated with a one-day workshop in Garching on October 19. Alvio retired as the VLT Programme Scientist in June this year and this conference was a way to look back at his many scientific achievements and his influence on ESO and the VLT project.

Announcements

54-54 (PDF)
ESO
NEON Observing Schools

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122R..54.
Section:
Announcements
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The purpose of these summer schools is to provide the opportunity for young researchers to gain practical experience in observational techniques, data reduction and analysis and the use of virtual observatory tools. Students will carry out small research projects, centred on selected astrophysical topics, in small groups under the supervision of experienced astronomers. These practical exercises will be complemented by lectures on general observational techniques and archival research for both ground and space based astronomy.
54-54 (PDF)
ESO
Conference on Globular Clusters - Guide to Galaxies

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122Q..54.
Section:
Announcements
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The Universidad de Concepción, the Centro de Astrofísica FONDAP (Chile), the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory and ESO are organising a conference on “Globular Clusters – Guides to Galaxies”, which will take place on March 6–10, 2006.
55-55 (PDF)
ESO
List of Proceedings from the ESO Astrophysics Symposia

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122R..55.
Section:
Announcements
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
List of Proceedings from the ESO Astrophysics Symposia
55-55 (PDF)
ESO
Personnel Movements

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122Q..55.
Section:
Announcements
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)

56-56 (PDF)
ESO
Contents

ADS BibCode:
2005Msngr.122...56.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)