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Abstract

Nearby dwarf galaxies are local analogues of high-redshift and metal-poor stellar populations. Most of these systems ceased star formation long ago, but they retain signatures of their past that can be unraveled by detailed study of their resolved stars. Archaeological examination of dwarf galaxies with resolved stellar spectroscopy provides key insights into the first stars and galaxies, galaxy formation in the smallest dark matter halos, stellar populations in the metal-free and metal-poor universe, the nature of the first stellar explosions, and the origin of the elements. Extremely large telescopes with multi-object R=5,000-30,000 spectroscopy are needed to enable such studies for galaxies of different luminosities throughout the Local Group.

Conclusion

"We recommend the construction of ELTs with multi-object spectrographs to enable archaeological study of dwarf galaxy formation histories across the Local Group."

  At blue wavelengths, MOSAIC will be able to get a spectrum of a V = 25 mag galaxy with S/N ~ 5 (resolution R=5000) in a ~ 4 hour exposure with the HMM-VIS mode.

 

Simulations

Detailed simulations have been performed to assess the performance of the blue part of the visible spectrograph. To this end, we used the WEBSIM-COMPASS simulator. Our study aimed to understand the behavior of noise, the effects of sky variability, and the scaling between signal-to-noise (S/N) and several other observational (exposure time) and instrumental (resolution R, throughput T%) characteristics. Briefly, an astrophysical target was modeled as a high-resolution data cube, which was subsequently convolved with the point-spread function (PSF) that represented the optical path through the atmosphere and the telescope, including the adaptive optics system. Realistic sky background, photon noise, and detector noise were added. The simulator produced a data cube which we analyzed as if it were real data.

The warm and hot gas between galaxies and within their halo is a reservoir of matter from which proto-galaxies can form. MOSAIC will provide an unprecedented map of the distant 3D structures of this gas as well as evaluating for the first time the distribution of the different baryonic components of the matter.

Detailed simulations show that MOSAIC will play an important role in the mapping of the intergalactic medium. An ambitious galaxy survey with MOSAIC will provide a 3D map of the IGM at z > 3, complementing similar surveys that will focus on lower redshifts. In synergy with the missions like Euclid and JWST, MOSAIC will enable us to probe the full redshift evolution of galaxy growth in the cosmic web throughout the cosmic period of intense star formation.

9-13 septembre 2019, Rome

link to the website of the conference

Scientific Rationale

In the next decade, the commissioning of Extremely Large Telescopes (20-40m class) will allow us to see the high redshift universe using new eyes of unprecedented power. By themselves or in combination with other facilities, these new eyes will have the potential to transform our understanding of the formation and early evolution of galaxies and black holes, first light and cosmic reionization, as well as the evolution of the intergalactic and circumgalactic media

Some links :

Link to the site of the conference.

SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE

                The European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will be the world’s largest optical/IR facility for at least a generation. As it is currently the case for the European Very Large Telescope (VLT), the MOSAIC multi-object spectrograph will be the workhorse instrument for the ELT.

The proposed MOSAIC multi-object spectrograph will be the workhorse instrument for the future Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the biggest visible/infrared telescope in the world. It will be the world-leading multi-object spectrograph well into the 2020s, contributing to most fields of contemporary astronomy. Scientists from across the world are meeting in Toledo to explore the unprecedented capabilities of MOSAIC in tracking the earliest ‘first-light’ structures in the Universe, and to refine proposals for observations that will uniquely trace the amounts of dark and invisible matter in the deep Universe.

  • Produced by Lightcurve Films
  • Direction, Concept, Text, Post Production : Maarten Roos (Lightcurve Films)
  • Graphical Animation : Dick Peterse (ScienceMedia.nl)
  • Voice Over : Pamela van de Wal
  • Voice Over & Translation Services
  • Original Music Score : William Zeitler
  • Scientific Advisor : Francois Hammer et al.

We are attending SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation in Austin this june 2018. SPIE is an international society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light. You will find below our contribution to the event. Feel free to download our material.

Paris, Tuesday 3rd October 2017

The MOSAIC multi-object spectrograph will be the workhorse instrument for the future Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the biggest visible/infrared telescope in the world. It will be the world-leading multi-object spectrograph well into the 2020s, contributing to most fields of contemporary astronomy. Scientists from across the world are meeting in Toledo to explore the unprecedented capabilities of MOSAIC in tracking the earliest ‘first-light’ structures in the Universe, and to refine plans for observations that will uniquely trace the amounts of dark and invisible matter in the deep Universe (see video).

The Multi-Object Spectrograph, also known as MOSAIC, is a proposed instrument for ESO’s forthcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). MOSAIC is currently in the initial project stage known as Phase A. The study contract was signed at the Paris Observatory on 18 March 2016 by ESO and the CNRS–INSU, the leading technical institute in the MOSAIC consortium. The consortium includes institutions from five countries (France, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Brazil and Germany) with six associated partners (Austria, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).

Read the article on the ESO website

 

17-19th October 2017 – Toledo, Spain

Scientific Rationale

The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will be the world's largest optical/IR facility for at least a generation. It will have an immense collecting area, equivalent to gathering together all the current large telescopes in use today. Multi-object spectroscopy will be a key capability of the observatory, immediately able to harness its unprecedented sensitivity to deliver unique surveys which address a broad range of important topics in contemporary astrophysics.

The conceptual design of MOSAIC, a powerful multi-object spectrograph for the ELT, will conclude in late 2017. The design combines high-multiplex near-IR and visible spectroscopy, together with AO-corrected spectroscopy in the near-IR that exploits the fantastic angular resolution of the ELT across a large field of view. These capabilities will enable MOSAIC to tackle fundamental questions, e.g. pertaining to the formation and evolution of galaxies, which are simply out of reach of other facilities.

This colloquium is timed to discuss the scientific opportunities of surveys with MOSAIC, focussing in particular on simulated performances from the conceptual design. It will also take stock of other developments that will influence surveys envisaged for the late 2020s.

Visit website : https://www.mosaictoledo.org/

  1. MOSAIC Mid-Term Review
  2. MOSAIC, the Multi-Object Spectrograph of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)

Who are we? Infos on the MOSAIC consortium.

CONSORTIUM

Scientific goals and milestones: why MOSAIC?

SCIENCE

How do we get there? All the technology behind MOSAIC.

INSTRUMENT

What performance can we expect from MOSAIC?

PERFORMANCE

How will MOSAIC fit in the instrumental landscape?

SYNERGY