TY - JOUR
T1 - The Science Case for PILOT I: Summary and Overview
AU - Lawrence, J.S.
AU - Ashley, M.C.B.
AU - Bailey, J.
AU - Navascues, D.B.Y.
AU - Bedding, T.R.
AU - Bland-Hawthorn, J.
AU - Bond, I.
AU - Boulanger, F.
AU - Bouwens, R.
AU - Bruntt, H.
AU - Bunker, A.
AU - Burgarella, D.
AU - Burton, M.G.
AU - Busso, M.
AU - Coward, D.
AU - Cioni, M-R.L.
N1 - Original article can be found at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=139&aid=108 DOI: 10.1071/AS08048 [Open access article]
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ∼30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice as good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILOT and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects divided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e. studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e. studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).
AB - PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ∼30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice as good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILOT and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects divided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e. studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e. studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).
U2 - 10.1071/AS08048
DO - 10.1071/AS08048
M3 - Article
SN - 1323-3580
VL - 26
SP - 379
EP - 396
JO - Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
JF - Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
IS - 4
ER -