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Next Generation Telescopes

 

 

Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS III)


2.5-m SDSS Telescope The Sloan Digital Sky Survey III builds on the success of the SDSS and SDSS-III projects, the SDSS-III will conduct four surveys to study dark energy and cosmological parameters, the structure, evolution, and dynamics of the Milky Way, and the architecture of planetary systems. The surveys will be conducted in the 2009-2014 time period, and they will utilize advanced imaging and spectroscopic instrumentation. Arizona is a member of the collaboration, and Professor Daniel Eisenstein is Director of SDSS-III. Learn More

8.4-meter Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)


LSST The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will open up a new realm of time-domain astronomy. It will combine an extremely large aperture, exceptionally wide 9.6 square degree field of view, and a gigantic 3200 Megapixel detector to produce a sensitive, wide-field survey of much of the sky at regular intervals. It is expected that the LSST will survey 20,000 square degrees, visiting each position about 1000 times over the course of a decade. The LSST will impact studies ranging from cosmology to near Earth asteroids. The mirrors for the LSST will be produced at the University of Arizona. First light is anticipated in 2013, with regular scientific operations in 2014. Learn More

7 x 8.4-meter Giant Magellan Telescope Project (GMT)

Giant Magellan Telescope


The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is a collaborative effort between universities and research organizations to develop and build a state-of-the-art next-generation extremely large telescope.

To be located at Las Campanas in Chile, the GMT will consist of seven 8.4-m mirrors arranged on a common mount, producing the equivalent of a 24.5-m telescope. The University of Arizona is a major partner in the development of GMT and is responsible for the production of the primary mirrors.

The project will be executed in four phases with the following timeline:
Phase A Preliminary Phase, Conceptual Design 2003-2006
Phase B Design Development 2007-2011
Phase C Construction and Commissioning 2011-2018
Phase D Science Operations 2018 -

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