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Astronomy with Extremely Large Telescopes

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Astrophysics Update 2

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books ((ASTRONOMY))

Abstract

Optical and infrared astronomy is today characterised by its access to a spectacular array of observing facilities. Most prominent among them are the 8m to 10m class telescopes, which provide an effective complement to space-based instruments. Lessons learned from the construction and operation of large ground-based facilities have enabled astronomers to plan the next generation of instruments with mirrors 20m to 100m in diameter. This chapter introduces the technology of such ‘extremely large’ telescopes (ELTs), and then highlights some of the scientific problems they might be expected to address. They include the discovery and characterisation of planets beyond the Solar System, the formation of stars throughout the Universe, the growth of galaxies in the early Universe, and the earliest objects and re-ionisation of the Universe. A key aspect of the case for extremely large telescopes is that observations with 20m and 30m instruments occupy a significantly different region of discovery space from those made with larger (50m and 100m) telescopes. Finally, the complementarity between ELTs and other planned facilities is discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anglo-Australian Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, 2357, Australia

    F. G. Watson

  2. Department of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, UK

    I. M. Hook

  3. Anglo-Australian Observatory, P O Box 296, Epping, NSW, 1710, Australia

    M. M. Colless (Director)

Authors
  1. F. G. Watson
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  2. I. M. Hook
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  3. M. M. Colless
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Olympus Mons, 51 Orchard way, Barnham, West Sussex, PO22 0HX, UK

    John W. Mason

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© 2006 Praxis Publishing Ltd, Chichester, UK

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Watson, F.G., Hook, I.M., Colless, M.M. (2006). Astronomy with Extremely Large Telescopes. In: Mason, J.W. (eds) Astrophysics Update 2. Springer Praxis Books. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-30313-8_11

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