UK-DKIST Science Support

The Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is a 4-m diameter facility that will operate in the optical and near-infrared. UK participation in DKIST involves the development of a new breed of cameras that equip the 4 instruments in the visible and was funded jointly by STFC, 8 UK academic partners and industry. The UK development work has now been completed, and this investment will provide the UK with access to DKIST until 2026.

DKIST first light is expected in late 2019, with the start of science operations commencing in mid-2020. The focus of the UK solar physics community over the next few years will be on DKIST science exploitation. We seek modest funding for a UK-DKIST support astronomer, to help maximise the UK science return from the facility.

DKIST is using large-format, high-speed sCMOS cameras built by Andor Technology, with the camera development funded by STFC via a PPRP grant. Andor are witnessing strong interest in this camera, and have received a number of pre-orders. Marketing material has been prepared and there will be an official product launch later in 2019. However, we are bound by a non-disclosure agreement between Andor and Queen's, and hence are unfortunately unable to provide quantitative information such as the number of units/orders and associated financial figures.