Using and Improving the ELT-HARMONI Simulation Tool (HSIM)

The DPhil Project is part of the instrument development for ESO's Extrmely Large Telescope (ELT), namely the development of the first light, adaptive optics assisted, integral field spectrograph, HARMONI

In the context of HARMONI, the integral-field spectrograph for the E-ELT, this DPhil project develops detailed simulations of the observations carried out by HARMONI, using a dedicated software simulation tool HSIM. ELT observing time will be very expensive, with amortised costs of E10 per second! To make optimal use of the ELT+HARMONI, quantitative predictions of the instrument's sensitivity, applied to the specific observing project, are required. The HSIM simulator allows the user to create a "mock observed" data cube that mimics a real observation, including stochastic and systematic noise effects, as well as the instrument response. These mock data are then analysed as if they were real data, and the relevant physical parameters extracted from the analysis. The quantitative measure of the estimated error in these derived parameters allows fine tuning of the planned observations.

The thesis work involves enhancing the capabilities of the HSIM simulator, by including detector systematic noise effects. The detectors are the single component in the instrument whose properties and performance have a direct and substantial impact on instrument performance. Thus, developing the ability to simulate all the noise sources arising from detector artefacts, and inhomogeneities arising from the fabrication process, are key to quantitatively correct predictions of instrument performance. The thesis focusses on incorporating these effects in the simulator, and assessing their impact on observations through detailed simulations of kinematic studies of galaxy with the goal of measuring their rotation curves and thus estimating their dynamical mass.

HARMONI is a facility instrument, and will tackle a wide variety of questions in observational astrophysics. These have direct bearing on two of STFC's three science challenges: (B) How do stars and planetary systems develop and how do they support the existence of life? and (A) How did the Universe begin and how is it evolving?. This research falls with the PPAN remit, it is part of the "Astronomy and Space Sciences" research area.

The UK ELT programme has two main (non-academic) routes to impact: industrial contract return from ESO, including the instrument projects, and public engagement (PE). Both of these are dealt with through dedicated work-packages in the proposal, with further details given in the Pathways to Impact document.

1) Industrial return: The total hardware budget for the telescope construction project at ESO is more than 800MEur and most of that will be procured from industry in the ESO member states. UK companies are eligible to bid for ESO contracts and a major part of the industry engagement programme is to find suitable UK companies to put forward to receive calls for tender. There is still over 100MEur worth of ELT contracts to be let and through past efforts of the programme, UK companies are well placed for a number of specialist supplies in imaging detectors and software. The end goal of the programme is to see contract return to the UK increase so that we maximise our share of the construction budget. Our activities in support of this goal include publicising tender opportunities through email campaigns from the STFC tender opportunities service, targeted meetings with groups of companies and contract-specific events.

2) PE: Astronomy is recognised as a hugely inspiring way to engage the public with the big questions of science, and events such as Stargazing Oxford and Doors Open at Royal Observatory Edinburgh regularly draw thousands of visitors. We will leverage the existing PE programmes of the consortium (including the ROE Visitor Centre, STFC Public Engagement & Communications and Oxford University) and exploit the news value of significant ELT milestones between now and first light. The first phase of the programme will aim to engage audiences with the technology involved in building the ELT and its systems and will concentrate on `awareness raising' with social media campaigns, coordinating with ESO on press releases and embedding the ELT into wider STFC PE activities (e.g. piggybacking on the JWST launch). Subsequent phases will begin to plan activities leading up to telescope first light, and secure additional funding for
resource development and building partnerships with teachers, science centres, and planetaria in preparation for leading a series of national events.