Transcript The UK SALT consortium

Aerial view of Armagh Observatory
Astronomy provides a singular perspective on
our place in the Universe, addressing
fundamental questions such as the origin of
the Earth, the origin of Life and ‘Are we
Alone?’. Astronomical research – the
principal function of the UKSC partners –
plays an increasingly important role in
modern society. As an educational tool
astronomy attracts and maintains the interest
of young people. It provides ‘clean’ examples
of the use of science and technology, and
contributes to a growing understanding of
global environmental change. Modern
astronomy is an involving, inspirational
activity with a unique ability to spark the
imagination and to attract young people
towards science and engineering.
The Southern African Large Telescope
(SALT ) is funded by partners all over the
world and will be the largest single
telescope in the southern hemisphere. With
a hexagonal mirror array 11 metres across
SALT will be able to record distant stars,
galaxies and quasars a billion times too
faint to be seen with the unaided eye – as
faint as a candle flame at the distance of the
moon.
Six institutes across the UK joined to form the
UK SALT Consortium (UKSC) and to provide
funding to help build the SALT. The members
of the UKSC are:
International Partners in SALT currently
include universities and research institutes in
the UK, South Africa, Germany, Poland,
New Zealand, and the USA
• University of Central Lancashire
www.uclan.ac.uk
• University of Southampton
www.phys.soton.ac.uk
• University of Nottingham
www.nottingham.ac.uk
• Armagh Observatory www.arm.ac.uk
• University of Keele www.astro.keele .ac.uk
• Open University www.phys.open.ac.uk
Digging in: VIP’s
taking part in the
ceremony signalling the
start of SALT
construction.
Flags of SALT
partners at the
ground-breaking
ceremony near
Sutherland.
Sutherland is an excellent astronomical site
with good facilities. Together with SALT, it
gives South Africa and its partners many
opportunities to maintain and improve their
position at the forefront of astronomy, space
science and technology.
In particular, the new telescope will be used for
studies of:
• Stars and Stellar Evolution
time resolved medium-to-high resolution
stellar spectroscopy and exploration of
protostellar environments
• High-Precision Stellar Astrophysics
spectroscopic signatures of binarity,
stellar atmospheres and pulsation,
chromospheric modelling
The eleven metre mirror under
construction.
Scientists engaging in basic research contribute
immeasurably to the intellectual vibrancy of
society, contributing to a strong R&D base and
providing conditions for that society to
participate in, and sometimes lead, scientific
and technological projects of global
significance.
• Increased Science Education and Public
Outreach
contributing to development of a more
scientifically literate population
• Increased Creative Potential
astronomy sparks the imagination, rekindles
‘the ability to wonder’
‘you become like a seven or eight
year old again’
• High level Scientific Exchange
involvement in joint international projects,
puts the UKSC, SALT partners and South
Africa on the international stage
encourages co-operation and mutual
understanding of cultural diversity
• Shared Cultural Heritage
improved knowledge and appreciation of
the UK and South Africa’s contribution to
international astronomy
• The Sun and the Solar-Stellar Connection
stellar flares, star spots, solar/stellar activity
3D model of the SALT telescope
• Solar System Studies
medium-to-high resolution spectroscopy
of comets, asteroids and trans-neptunian
objects
Tracking assembly of SALT telescope.
For more information visit www.star.uclan.ac.uk/~aes/SALT/ and www.salt.ac.za