The first galaxies: instrument requirements and concept study for OWL.

Authors :: Cuby, J.-G.
Kneib, J.-P.
Hammer, F.
Prieto, E.
Marteaud, M.
Vola, P.
Jagourel, P.
Blanc, P.-E.
Fusco, T.
Source :: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union; 11/02/2005, Vol. 1 Issue S232, p176-180, 5p
Publication Year :: 2005
Abstract: A highlight science case for the European ELT is: First light - The First Galaxies and the Ionization State of the Early Universe. It aims at understanding the formation and evolution of the first sources of light at the end of the Dark Ages and of the re-ionization of the Universe. The corresponding instrument requirements are: a few tens of integral field units with spatial sampling $\sim$20mas and individual fields of ${\sim}1''$ over a wide field of view of $5' \times 5'$ or larger. Multi-Object Adaptive Optics is required to locally provide significant image quality enhancement. Spectroscopic observations are required in the near IR domain with a spectral resolution of a few 1000. MOMFIS is a preliminary instrument concept designed for OWL around this science case. The instrument concept and preliminary design are presented. Development efforts are estimated, as well as development risks and required R&D activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]