Messenger No. 125 (September 2006)

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Reports from Observers

2-5 (PDF)
A. Eckart, R. Schödel et al.
The Galactic Centre: The Flare Activity of SgrA* and High-Resolution Explorations of Dusty Stars

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125....2E
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Eckart, A.; Schödel, R.; Meyer, L.; Müzić, K.; Pott, J.; Moultaka, J.; Straubmeier, C.; Dovciak, M.; Karas, V.; Genzel, R.; Ott, T.; Trippe, S.; Najarro, F.; Morris, M.; Baganoff, F.
AA(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AB(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AC(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AD(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AE(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AF(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AG(I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne, Germany) AH(Astronomical Institute, Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic) AI(Astronomical Institute, Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic) AJ(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany - Physics Department, University of California at Berkeley, USA) AK(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AL(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AM(Instituto de Estructura de la Materia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientísficas, Madrid, Spain) AN(Department of Physics and Astronomy, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA) AO(Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA)
Abstract:
We summarise the most recent efforts to investigate the properties of the Galactic Centre making extensive use of the instrumental capabilities of the Paranal observatory.
References:
Bélanger G. et al. 2006, astro-ph/0604337
Dovciak M., Karas V. and Yaqoob T. 2004,
ApJS 153, 205
Eckart A. et al. 2004, A&A 427, 1
Eckart A., Schödel R. and Straubmeier C. 2005,
“The black hole at the centre of the Milky Way”, London: Imperial College Press,
ISBN 1-86094-567-8
Eckart A. et al. 2006a, A&A, in press
Eckart A. et al. 2006b, A&A 450, 535
Gillessen S. et al. 2005, The Messenger 120, 26
Lagage P. O. et al. 2004, The Messenger 117, 12
Marrone D. P. et al. 2006, ApJ 640, 308
Mauerhan J. C. et al. 2005, ApJ 623, L25
Moultaka J. et al. 2005, A&A 443, 163
Moultaka J. et al. 2004, A&A 425, 529
Pott J.-U. et al. 2006, Proc. of the ESO workshop:
“The power of optical/IR interferometry: re-
cent scientific results and second-generation
VLTI instrumentation”, astro-ph/0505513
Pott J.-U. et al. 2005, The Messenger 119, 43
Viehmann T. et al. 2005, A&A 433, 117
Viehmann T. et al. 2006, ApJ 642, 861
Yusef-Zadeh F. et al. 2006a, ApJ 644, 198
Yusef-Zadeh F. et al. 2006b, ApJ, in press,
astro-ph/0603685
6-10 (PDF)
A. Korn, F. Grundahl et al.
New Abundances for Old Stars - Atomic Diffusion at Work in NGC 6397

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125....6K
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Korn, A.; Grundahl, F.; Richard, O.; Barklem, P.; Mashonkina, L.; Collet, R.; Piskunov, N.; Gustafsson, B.
AA(Uppsala Astronomical Observatory, Sweden) AB(Århus University, Denmark) AC(University of Montpellier II, France) AD(Uppsala Astronomical Observatory, Sweden) AE(Institute of Astronomy, Moscow, Russia) AF(Uppsala Astronomical Observatory, Sweden) AG(Uppsala Astronomical Observatory, Sweden) AH(Uppsala Astronomical Observatory, Sweden)
Abstract:
A homogeneous spectroscopic analysis of unevolved and evolved stars in the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 6397 with FLAMES-UVES reveals systematic trends of stellar surface abundances that are likely caused by atomic diffusion. This finding helps to understand, among other issues, why the lithium abundances of old halo stars are significantly lower than the abundance found to be produced shortly after the Big Bang.
References:
Asplund M. et al. 2006, ApJ 644, 22229
Gratton R. G. et al. 2001, A&A 369, 87
Korn A. J. 2002, in: Scientific Drivers for ESO Future
VLT/VLTI Instrumentation, ed. by Bergeron J.
and Monnet G. (Springer, Heidelberg), 199
Korn A. J. et al. 2006, Nature 442, 657
Michaud G., Fontaine G. and Beaudet G. 1984,
ApJ 282, 206
Piskunov N. E. and Valenti J. A. 2002, A&A 385, 1095
Richard O., Michaud G. and Richer J. 2005,
ApJ 619, 538
Ryan S. G., Norris J. E. and Beers T. C. 1999,
ApJ 523, 654
Schatzmann E. 1969, A&A 3, 331
Spergel D. N. et al. 2006, ApJ, in press
Spite M. and Spite F. 1982, Nature 297, 483
Thévenin F. et al. 2001, A&A 373, 905
10-10 (PDF)
ESO
VLT Image of Globular Cluster 47 Tuc

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...10.
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
47 Tucanae is an impressive globular clus-ter that is visible with the unaided eye from the southern hemisphere. It appears as big on the sky as the full moon.
11-14 (PDF)
N. M. Förster Schreiber, R. Genzel et al.
The SINS Survey: Rotation Curves and Dynamical Evolution of Distant Galaxies with SINFONI

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...11F
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Förster Schreiber, N. M.; Genzel, R.; Eisenhauer, F.; Lehnert, M. D.; Tacconi, J. J.; Nesvadba, N.; Bouché, N.; Davies, R.; Lutz, D.; Verma, A.; Cimatti, A.; Erb, D. K.; Shapley, A. E.; Steidel, C. C.; Daddi, E.; Renzini, A.; Kong, X.; Arimoto, N.; Mignoli, M.; Abuter, R.; Gillessen, S.; Sternberg, A.; Gilbert, A.
AA(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AB(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany & Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA) AC(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AD(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AE(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AF(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AG(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AH(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AI(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AJ(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AK(Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Firenze, Italy & Visiting at MPE with the support of the Alexander von Humbolt Foundation through a Bessel Prize Award) AL(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) AM(Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA) AN(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA) AO(National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Arizona, USA) AP(ESO) AQ(Center for Astrophysics, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China) AR(National Astronomical Observatory, Tokyo, Japan) AS(Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna, Bologna, Italy) AT(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AU(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany) AV(School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel) AW(IGPP, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA)
Abstract:
It has become clear in recent years that about half of the stellar mass in galaxies was put in place by redshift z ~ 1, when the Universe was 40% of its current age. However, the details of how the mass was assembled and what physical processes were involved at early stages of galaxy evolution remain unclear. Progress has been hampered by the lack of detailed spatially-resolved studies of galaxies beyond z ~ 1. This has now become possible with SINFONI, the adaptive optics-assisted near-infrared integral field spectrometer at the VLT. Here we report on our SINFONI observations of massive star-forming galaxies at z ~ 2-3. The data enabled us to investigate their morphologies and kinematics on typical spatial scales of 4-5 kpc. The most surprising outcome is that a majority of these galaxies appear to be large, rotating, and often gas-rich discs. Even more compelling evidence is provided by the exceptionally detailed SINFONI data of a z ~ 2 galaxy observed with adaptive optics, resulting in a spatial resolution of 1.2 kpc, and of a highly magnified z ~ 3 galaxy for which the gravitational lensing of a foreground galaxy cluster acts as a microscope, revealing the dynamics on scales as small as 200 pc.
References:
Adelberger K. L. et al. 2004, ApJ 607, 22226
Bonnet H. et al. 2004, The Messenger 117, 17
Daddi E. et al. 2004, ApJ 617, 746
Eisenhauer F. et al. 2003, Proc. SPIE 4841, 1548
Erb D. K. et al. 2006, ApJ 646, 107
Förster Schreiber N. M. et al. 2006, ApJ 645, 1062
Genzel R. et al. 2006, Nature 442, 786
Immeli A. et al. 2004, ApJ 611, 20
Kong X. et al. 2006, ApJ 638, 72
Nesvadba N. et al. 2006, ApJ, in press,
astro-ph/0606527
15-19 (PDF)
N. Drory, R. Bender et al.
The Evolution of Galaxies in the FORS Deep and GOODS-S Fields

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...15D
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Drory, N.; Bender, R.; Feulner, G.; Gabasch, A.; Hopp, U.; Noll, S.; Pannella, M.; Saglia, R. P.; Salvato, M.
AA(University of Texas at Austin, USA & Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestri-sche Physik, Garching, Germany) AB(Universitäts-Sternwarte München, Germany & Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AC(Universitäts-Sternwarte München, Germany & Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestri-sche Physik, Garching, Germany & Currently: Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung, Germany) AD(Universitäts-Sternwarte München, Germany & Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AE(Universitäts-Sternwarte München, Germany & Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AF(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AG(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AH(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany) AI(Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, Germany & Caltech, Pasadena, California, USA)
Abstract:
Deep multicolour surveys obtained with ESO telescopes provide new insights into the evolution of galaxies from 1 Gyr after the Big Bang to the present epoch. With the broad wavelength coverage (U to K) of the FORS Deep Field and the GOODS-S field, we can derive accurate photometric redshifts for about 8000 galaxies between z = 0 and z = 6. Modelling their spectral energy distributions yields galaxy stellar masses and star-formation rates as a function of cosmic time. Interestingly, massive galaxies (M > 1011 MA) seem to be present even at the highest redshift and do not disappear faster with redshift than lower-mass galaxies. Star-formation activity moves from bright to faint objects with decreasing redshift (downsizing).
References:
Drory N. et al. 2004, ApJ 608, 742
Drory N., Bender R. and Hopp U. 2004, ApJ 616,
L103
Drory N. et al. 2005, ApJ 619, L131
Feulner G. et al. 2005, ApJ 633, L9
Fontana A. et al. 2004, A&A 424, 23
Gabasch A. et al. 2004a, A&A 421, 41
Gabasch A. et al. 2004b, ApJ 616, L83
Giavalisco M. et al. 2004, ApJ 600, L93
Heidt J. et al. 2003, A&A 398, 49
Noll S. et al. 2004, A&A 418, 885
Pannella M. et al. 2006, ApJ 639, L1
Salvato M. et al. 2006, A&A, submitted
19-19 (PDF)
ESO
A Supernova in an Interactive Pair of Galaxies

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...19.
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
MCG-01-39-003 (bottom right) is a peculiar spiral galaxy, apparently interacting with its neighbour, the spiral galaxy NGC 5917 (upper right). Both galaxies are located at similar distances, about 87 million light years away, towards the constellation of Libra.
20-23 (PDF)
D. Schaerer, R. Pelló et al.
Searching for the First Galaxies through Gravitational Lenses

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...20S
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Schaerer, D.; Pelló, R.; Richard, J.; Egami, E.; Hempel, A.; Le Borgne, J.-F.; Kneib, J.-P.; Wise, M.; Boon, F.; Combes, F.
AA(Geneva Observatory, Sauverny, Switzerland & Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Labora­toire d’Astrophysique, Toulouse, France) AB(Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Labora­toire d’Astrophysique, Toulouse, France) AC(Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Laboratoire d’Astrophysique, Toulouse, France & Caltech Astronomy, Pasadena, California, USA) AD(Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA) AE(Geneva Observatory, Sauverny, Switzerland) AF(Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Labora­toire d’Astrophysique, Toulouse, France) AG(OAMP, Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France & Caltech Astronomy, Pasadena, California, USA) AH(Astronomical Institute Anton Panne­koek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) AI(LERMA, Observatoire de Paris, France) AJ(LERMA, Observatoire de Paris, France)
Abstract:
Observing the first galaxies formed during the reionisation epoch, i.e. approximately within the first billion years after the Big Bang, remains one of the challenges of contemporary astrophysics. Several efforts are being undertaken to search for such remote objects. Combining the near-IR imaging power of the VLT and the natural effect of strong gravitational lensing our pilot program has allowed us to identify several galaxy candidates at redshift 6 <= z <= 10. The properties of these objects and the resulting constraints on the star formation rate density at high redshift are discussed. Finally we present the status of follow-up observations (ISAAC spectroscopy, HST and Spitzer imaging) and discuss future developments.
References:
Bremer M. et al. 2004, ApJ 615, L1
Choudhury T. R. and Ferrara A. 2005,
MNRAS 361, 577
Egami E. et al. 2005, ApJ 618, L5
Eyles L. et al. 2006, MNRAS, submitted,
astro-ph/0607306
Hempel A. et al. 2006, A&A, submitted
Hu E. et al. 2002, ApJ 568, L75
Lehnert M. et al. 2005, ApJ 624, 80
Mobasher B. et al. 2005, ApJ 635, 832
Nagamine K. et al. 2005, New Astronomy
Reviews 50, 29
Pelló R. et al. 2004a, A&A 416, L35
Pelló R. et al. 2004b, astro-ph/0407194
Pelló R. et al. 2005, IAU Symp. 22225, 373
Richard J. et al. 2006, A&A, in press,
astro-ph/0606134
Smith G. P. et al. 2006, ApJ 636, 575
Weatherley S. J. et al. 2004, A&A 428, L29
23-23 (PDF)
ESO
VLT Images of a Disintegrating Comet

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...23.
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
On the night of 23 to 24 April, the VLT ob-served fragment B of the comet Schwassmann- Wachmann 3 that had split a few days earlier. The ESO astronomers were sur-prised to discover that the piece just ejected by fragment B was splitting again. Five other mini-comets were also visible. The comet thus seems doomed to disintegrate but the question remains in how long a time.
24-27 (PDF)
F. Coppolani, P. Petitjean et al.
Transverse and Longitudinal Correlation Functions in the Intergalactic Medium

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...24C
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Coppolani, F.; Petitjean, P.; Stoehr, F.; Rollinde, E.; Pichon, C.; Colombi, S.; Haehnelt, M. G.; Carswell, B.; Teyssier, R.
AA(ESO & Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France) AB(Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France & Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France) AC(Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France) AD(IUCAA, Pune, India & Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France) AE(Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France) AF(Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, France) AG(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, United Kingdom) AH(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, United Kingdom) AI(DAPNIA, CEA Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France)
Abstract:
The Intergalactic Medium can be studied using the imprint left in the spectra of background quasars, the so-called Lyman-α forest. The correlations between absorption features observed along the lines of sight to the quasars have been studied to derive information on the clustering properties of the IGM structures. Very few observations have been performed so far of the correlation of the absorption along two different lines of sight separated by a few arc-minutes in the sky. The comparison of the correlation functions along the line of sight (longitudinal direction on a velocity scale) and in the perpendicular direction (on an angular scale) can be used to constrain the geometry of the Universe. We have recently completed a study of the transverse and longitudinal flux correlation functions of the Lyman-α forest in quasar absorption spectra at z ~ 2.1 from VLT-FORS and VLT-UVES observations of a total of 32 pairs of quasars with separations in the range 0.6 < θ < 10 arcmin and found a correlation signal up to 3-5 arcmin.
References:
Alcock C. and Paczyn´ski B. 1979, Nature 281, 358
Aracil B. et al. 2002, A&A 391, 1
Coppolani F. et al. 2006, MNRAS 370, 1804
Crotts A. P. J. and Fang Y. 1998, ApJ 502, 16
Mc Donald P. 2003, ApJ 585, 34
Outram P. J., Hoyle F. and Shanks T. 2001, MNRAS
321, 497
Petitjean P., Mücket J. P. and Kates R. E. 1995,
A&A 295, L9
Pichon C. et al. 2001, MNRAS 326, 597
Rauch M. et al. 2005, ApJ 632, 58
Rollinde E. et al. 2003, MNRAS 341, 1299
Scannapieco E. et al. 2006, MNRAS 365, 615S
Smette A. et al. 1995, A&AS 113, 199
Williger G. M. et al. 2000, ApJ 532, 77
27-28 (PDF)
ESO
Extrasolar Planets and Brown Dwarfs: A Flurry of Results

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...27.
Section:
Reports from Observers
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Three ESO press releases on extrasolar planets and brown dwarfs in the last few months testify to the pace of activity in this field at the moment. They are summarised briefly here, and are available in complete form on the ESO web-site (PR 19/06, 28/06, 29/06).

Telescopes and Instrumentation

29-34 (PDF)
J.-L. Beuzit, M. Feldt et al.
SPHERE: A 'Planet Finder' Instrument for the VLT

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...29B
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Beuzit, J.-L.; Feldt, M.; Dohlen, K.; Mouillet, D.; Puget, P.; Antichi, J.; Baruffolo, A.; Baudoz, P.; Berton, A.; Boccaletti, A.; Carbillet, M.; Charton, J.; Claudi, R.; Downing, M.; Feautrier, P.; Fedrigo, E.; Fusco, T.; Gratton, R.; Hubin, N.; Kasper, M.; Langlois, M.; Moutou, C.; Mugnier, L.; Pragt, J.; Rabou, P.; Saisse, M.; Schmid, H. M.; Stadler, E.; Turrato, M.; Udry, S.; Waters, R.; Wildi, F.
AA(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) AB(Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany) AC(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France) AD(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) AE(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) AF(INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy) AG(INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy) AH(Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Paris, France) AI(Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany) AJ(Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Paris, France) AK(Laboratoire Universitaire d’Astro-physique de Nice, France) AL(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) AM(INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy) AN(ESO) AO(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) AP(ESO) AQ(Office National d’Etudes et de Recher­ches Aérospatiales, Chatillon, France) AR(INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy) AS(ESO) AT(ESO) AU(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France) AV(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France) AX(Office National d’Etudes et de Recher­ches Aérospatiales, Chatillon, France) AY(Stichting ASTRonomisch Onderzoek in Nederland, the Netherlands) AZ(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) BA(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France) BB(Eidgenössische Technische Hoch-schule Zürich, Switzerland) BC(Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, France) BD(INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy) BE(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland) BF(Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Netherlands) BG(Observatoire de Genève, Switzerland)
Abstract:
Direct detection and spectral characterisation of extrasolar planets is one of the most exciting but also one of the most challenging areas in modern astronomy. For its second-generation instrumentation on the VLT, ESO has supported two phase A studies for a so-called ‘Planet Finder’ dedicated instrument. Based on the results of these two studies, a unique instrument, SPHERE, is now considered for first light in 2010, including a powerful extreme adaptive optics system (SAXO), various coronagraphs, an infrared differential imaging camera (IRDIS), an infrared integral field spectrograph (IFS) and a visible differential polarimeter (ZIMPOL).
References:
Claudi R. et al. 2006, Proc. SPIE 6269, in press
Fusco T. et al. 2006, Proc. SPIE 6272, in press
Gisler D. et al. 2004, Proc. SPIE 5492, 463
Lenzen R. et al. 2004, Proc. SPIE 5492, 970
Mawet D. et al. 2006, A&A 448, 801
Mouillet D. et al. 2001, Proc. “Scientific Drivers for
ESO Future VLT/VLTI Instrumentation” conference,
258
35-36 (PDF)
A. Richichi, A. Moorwood
Second-Generation VLTI Instruments: A First Step is Made

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...35R
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Richichi, A.; Moorwood, A.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
As the VLTI continues its successful science operations with the first scientific instruments, MIDI and AMBER, plans are already under way for the horizon beyond 2010. To maintain the VLTI at the top of the international competition, a next generation of instruments is being evaluated: more versatile, more complete, but also more complex and technically challenging. Phase A studies for three candidates have just started, and we provide here a brief summary of their characteristics.
References:
Paumard T. et al. 2005, Proc. of the ESO Workshop
on “The Power of Optical/IR Interferometry: Recent Scientific Results and Second-generation VLTI Instrumentation”
Eisenhauer F. et al. 2005, Proc. of the ESO Work-
shop on “The Power of Optical/IR Interferometry: Recent Scientific Results and Second-generation VLTI Instrumentation”
37-40 (PDF)
A. Baudry, F. B. Marchet et al.
The ALMA Back-End

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...37B
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Baudry, A.; Marchet, F. B.; Kurlandcyk, H.; Rossi, S.
AA(Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l’Univers de Bordeaux, Floirac, France) AB(ESO) AC(ESO) AD(ESO)
Abstract:
The Atacama Large Millimeter Array is designed to produce excellent images in spectral lines and continuum, to detect distant galaxies like our Milky Way and to image proto-stellar discs in the nearest molecular clouds. To accomplish these goals, signals from the ALMA antennas must be processed and transmitted to the technical building in a format ready to be accepted by the correlator. The ALMA Back-End provides this in a loss-free, reliable and flexible way. In the following an overview is given of the ALMA Back-End subsystems developed in various European Institutes under ESO coordination.
41-43 (PDF)
N. Delmotte, M. Dolensky et al.
The 2006 ESO Science Archive Survey

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...41D
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Delmotte, N.; Dolensky, M.; Micol, A.; Padovani, P.; Rino, B.; Rosati, P.; Wicenec, A.; Retzlaff, J.; Rité, C.; Slijkhuis, R.; Vandame, B.; Vuong, M. H.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(ST-ECF) AD(ESO) AE(ESO) AF(ESO) AG(ESO) AH(ESO) AI(ESO) AJ(ESO) AK(ESO) AL(ESO)
Abstract:
We present the results of the 2006 ESO science archive survey aimed at improving services to the astronomical community. Future archive development plans will be based on user feedback.
References:
Science Archive Facility: http://archive.eso.org/
Delmotte N. et al. 2005, to appear in ADASS XV ASP
Conf. Proc.
Retzlaff J. et al. 2005, to appear in ADASS XV ASP
Conf. Proc.
Rossat N. et al. 2005, ADASS XIV ASP Conf. Series
347, 674
Padovani P. and Quinn P. 2005, The Messenger 122,
22
Pirenne B. and Quinn P. 2004, The Messenger 116,
48
Walsh J. and Hook R. 2006, ST-ECF Newsletter 40,
6
44-47 (PDF)
M. Sarazin, E. Graham et al.
FriOWL: A Site Selection Tool for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) Project

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...44S
Section:
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Sarazin, M.; Graham, E.; Kurlandczyk, H.
AA(ESO) AB(University of Fribourg/University of Berne, Switzerland) AC(ESO)
Abstract:
A systematic approach to site characterisation has been undertaken by ESO with the development of a geographical information tool dedicated to astroclimatology at the Department of Geography, University of Fribourg (Switzerland).
References:
Erasmus A. D. 2006, Proc. of the IAUS 232, 510
García-Lorenzo B. M. et al. 2004, SPIE Proc. 5489,
130
Graham E. et al. 2005, Meteorological Applications,
Vol. 12, Issue 1, 77
Sarazin M. and Tokovinin A. 2002, Proc. to ESO
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Varela A. M. et al. 2004, SPIE Proc. 5571, 105

Other Astronomical News

48-50 (PDF)
J. Peacock, P. Schneider
The ESO-ESA Working Group on Fundamental Cosmology

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...48P
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Peacock, J.; Schneider, P.
AA(Royal Observatory Edinburgh, United Kingdom) AB(University of Bonn, Germany)
Abstract:
ESO and ESA agreed to establish a number of Working Groups to explore possible synergies between these two major European astronomical institutions. This Working Group's mandate was to concentrate on fundamental questions in cosmology, and the scope for tackling these in Europe over the next ~15 years. One major resulting recommendation concerns the provision of new generations of imaging survey, where the image quality and near-IR sensitivity that can be attained only in space are naturally matched by ground-based imaging and spectroscopy to yield massive datasets with well-understood photometric redshifts (photo-z's). Such information is essential for a range of new cosmological tests using gravitational lensing, large-scale structure, clusters of galaxies, and supernovae. Great scope in future cosmology also exists for ELT studies of the intergalactic medium and space-based studies of the CMB and gravitational waves; here the synergy is less direct, but these areas will remain of the highest mutual interest to the agencies. All these recommended facilities will produce vast datasets of general applicability, which will have a tremendous impact on broad areas of astronomy.
References:
Peacock J. A. and Schneider P. 2006, Fundamental
Cosmology, ESA-ESO Working Groups Report (see http://www.stecf.org/coordination/esa_eso/wg.php?working_group=cosmology)
Perryman M. and Hainaut O. 2005, Extra-solar
planets, ESA-ESO Working Groups report (see http://www.stecf.org/coordination/esa_eso/extrasolar/report.pdf)
Wilson T. L. and Elbaz D. 2006, The Herschel-ALMA
Synergies, ESA-ESO Working Groups report
51-53 (PDF)
P. Shaver
Report on the XXXVIth IAU General Assembly (held in Prague, Czech Republic, 14-25 August 2006)

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...51S
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Shaver, P.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The recent XXVIth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, held on 14-25 August in Prague, was a great success. These triennial events always provide a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the progress across the entire range of astronomy, as well as to meet friends and colleagues from one’s own and other sub-fields, and this General Assembly certainly lived up to expectation. Some 2800 participants from around the world attended this event.
53-54 (PDF)
U. Grothkopf
Report on the Conference on Library and Information Servies in Astronomy: LISA V (held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 18-21 June 2006)

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...53G
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Grothkopf, U.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
LISA V, the latest in the series of conferences on Library and Information Services in Astronomy, was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in June 2006. More than 100 astronomy librarians, data archive specialists, publishers, and astronomers from 24 countries discussed tools and trends in information retrieval and management. As with previous conferences, ESO played a major role in the organisation and support of LISA V.
References:
Related websites:
LISA V information: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/
library/lisa/
Author instructions and news regarding the proceed-
ings: http://www.astro.helsinki.fi/library/lisa5/authors/
General website for information on past and future
LISA conferences: http://www.eso.org/libraries/lisa.html
Further reading:
Corbin B. G. and Grothkopf U., LISA – The Library
and Information Services in Astronomy confer-
ences. In: Organisations and strategies in astronomy
(OSA), Vol. 7, Heck A. (ed.), Springer, Dordrecht, ISBN 1-4020-5300-2, in press (http://www.eso.org/libraries/lisaconferences.pdf)
55-56 (PDF)
G. Argandoña, F. Mirabel
New ALMA Site Museum Preserves Valuable Local Culture

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...55A
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Argandoña, G.; Mirabel, F.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
The construction of ALMA close to the village of San Pedro de Atacama is making contributions to other sciences besides astronomy. More than 10000 years ago, human be-ings arrived at the Atacama Desert for the very first time. For generations, they managed to survive in this harsh environment, giving birth to a myriad of unique cultures and traditions, whose origins and evolution are still subject to intense re-search by anthropologists, historians, archaeologists, geneticists and linguists.
56-57 (PDF)
G. Argandoña, F. Mirabel
ESO-Chile Fund for Astronomy: 10 Years of Productive Scientific Collaboration

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...56A
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Argandoña, G.; Mirabel, F.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
In a ceremony in Santiago in June 2006, ESO and the Chilean Ministry of For- eign Affairs celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Supplementary Agreement. This agreement granted to Chilean astronomers up to 10% of the total ob-serving time on ESO telescopes and established an annual fund for the de-velopment of astronomy, managed by the ‘ESO-Chile Joint Committee’.
58-58 (PDF)
ESO
Corrigendum

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125R..58.
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
58-58 (PDF)
ESO
Fellows at ESO

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125Q..58.
Section:
Other Astronomical News
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Rubina Kotak

Announcements

59-59 (PDF)
ESO
Personnel Movements

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125Q..59.
Section:
Announcements
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
59-59 (PDF)
ESO
Vacancy notice

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125R..59.
Section:
Announcements
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)

60-60 (PDF)
ESO
Contents

ADS BibCode:
2006Msngr.125...60.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)