A new rotator for HiPERCAM on the GTC: Phase I
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
HiPERCAM is a revolutionary new astronomical instrument that saw first light on the GTC, the world's largest optical/IR telescope, in February 2018. The instrument was funded by a 3.5Meuro ERC Advanced Grant awarded to me in January 2014, and was built by a consortium from the Universities of Sheffield, Warwick, Durham, the UKATC and IAC.
HiPERCAM is arguably the most powerful ground-based optical imager in the world. This is because of three unique characteristics: 1. HiPERCAM images in 5 wavebands simultaneously on its 5 CCD detectors, covering the entire optical spectrum from 300-1000 nm. It is therefore up to 5 times more efficient than other cameras. 2. HiPERCAM uses custom-built (for 1.0Meuro) low-noise, frame-transfer e2v CCDs that are cooled thermo-electrically to 183 K, thereby allowing both long-exposure, deep imaging of faint targets, as well as high-speed (over 1000 frames per second) imaging of rapidly varying targets. It is therefore much more versatile than other cameras. 3. HiPERCAM is mounted on the world's largest telescope, located at one of the world's best observing sites. It is therefore much more sensitive than other cameras.
The next few years will be witness to a revolution in our knowledge of the Universe with the advent of large survey facilities such as LSST, Gaia, TESS, PLATO, SKA, Euclid and LIGO/VIRGO. Many new variable and transient sources will be discovered by these facilities. Time-domain astrophysics is set to become a core activity, and detailed follow-up studies of the most interesting objects will be essential. HiPERCAM on the GTC has been designed to fulfill this role. Targets will include: LIGO/VIRGO gravitational-wave transients with localisations from smaller telescopes; supernovae; gamma-ray bursts; fast-radio bursts; broadband transmission "spectroscopy" of rocky exoplanets; occultations by dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt; accreting black-holes in binaries; testing quantum mechanics and general relativity by observing millisecond pulsar binaries; pre-imaging and simultaneous imaging of the proposed ultra-deep JWST Time-Domain Field (TDF), which is only visible to ground-based telescopes in the northern-hemisphere. These are just a few examples of the many science areas that HiPERCAM could have a major impact on in the years to come.
HiPERCAM is currently mounted on one of the two available Folded Cassegrain focii of the GTC. Unfortunately, HiPERCAM has to share this focus with two common-user GTC instruments: CanariCam and MIRADAS (from Q3 2021). The latter, in particular, will significantly reduce the amount of time that HiPERCAM can be mounted on the GTC in the future. There are two other Folded Cass focii available at the GTC, but neither have been commissioned, i.e. they do not currently have rotators, cable wraps and services, and both were originally assigned for use by (as yet unbuilt) engineering instruments to assist in calibration of the telescope. I proposed to the GTC Director, Dr. Romano Corradi, that there will be exciting new scientific opportunities available in time-domain astrophysics if we are able to mount HiPERCAM permanently at one of these spare focii, thereby allowing us to respond immediately to transients discovered by survey facilities. My proposal received strong support from the Director and the various GTC management, advisory and oversight boards.
This grant follows on from the STFC grant for the Preliminary Design Study of the new rotator for HiPERCAM, which is now complete. This new grant will complete Phase I of the manufacture of the rotator, which will involve performing the final design and purchasing the long-lead time items (the motors and bearings). Once Phase I is complete, which will take 6 months, we shall apply to STFC for additional funds to complete Phase II of the project: final manufacture, factory testing, shipping to La Palma, and commissioning of the new rotator on the GTC with HiPERCAM during 2022.
HiPERCAM is arguably the most powerful ground-based optical imager in the world. This is because of three unique characteristics: 1. HiPERCAM images in 5 wavebands simultaneously on its 5 CCD detectors, covering the entire optical spectrum from 300-1000 nm. It is therefore up to 5 times more efficient than other cameras. 2. HiPERCAM uses custom-built (for 1.0Meuro) low-noise, frame-transfer e2v CCDs that are cooled thermo-electrically to 183 K, thereby allowing both long-exposure, deep imaging of faint targets, as well as high-speed (over 1000 frames per second) imaging of rapidly varying targets. It is therefore much more versatile than other cameras. 3. HiPERCAM is mounted on the world's largest telescope, located at one of the world's best observing sites. It is therefore much more sensitive than other cameras.
The next few years will be witness to a revolution in our knowledge of the Universe with the advent of large survey facilities such as LSST, Gaia, TESS, PLATO, SKA, Euclid and LIGO/VIRGO. Many new variable and transient sources will be discovered by these facilities. Time-domain astrophysics is set to become a core activity, and detailed follow-up studies of the most interesting objects will be essential. HiPERCAM on the GTC has been designed to fulfill this role. Targets will include: LIGO/VIRGO gravitational-wave transients with localisations from smaller telescopes; supernovae; gamma-ray bursts; fast-radio bursts; broadband transmission "spectroscopy" of rocky exoplanets; occultations by dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt; accreting black-holes in binaries; testing quantum mechanics and general relativity by observing millisecond pulsar binaries; pre-imaging and simultaneous imaging of the proposed ultra-deep JWST Time-Domain Field (TDF), which is only visible to ground-based telescopes in the northern-hemisphere. These are just a few examples of the many science areas that HiPERCAM could have a major impact on in the years to come.
HiPERCAM is currently mounted on one of the two available Folded Cassegrain focii of the GTC. Unfortunately, HiPERCAM has to share this focus with two common-user GTC instruments: CanariCam and MIRADAS (from Q3 2021). The latter, in particular, will significantly reduce the amount of time that HiPERCAM can be mounted on the GTC in the future. There are two other Folded Cass focii available at the GTC, but neither have been commissioned, i.e. they do not currently have rotators, cable wraps and services, and both were originally assigned for use by (as yet unbuilt) engineering instruments to assist in calibration of the telescope. I proposed to the GTC Director, Dr. Romano Corradi, that there will be exciting new scientific opportunities available in time-domain astrophysics if we are able to mount HiPERCAM permanently at one of these spare focii, thereby allowing us to respond immediately to transients discovered by survey facilities. My proposal received strong support from the Director and the various GTC management, advisory and oversight boards.
This grant follows on from the STFC grant for the Preliminary Design Study of the new rotator for HiPERCAM, which is now complete. This new grant will complete Phase I of the manufacture of the rotator, which will involve performing the final design and purchasing the long-lead time items (the motors and bearings). Once Phase I is complete, which will take 6 months, we shall apply to STFC for additional funds to complete Phase II of the project: final manufacture, factory testing, shipping to La Palma, and commissioning of the new rotator on the GTC with HiPERCAM during 2022.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Vikram Singh Dhillon (Principal Investigator) |