Abstract Details
| Name: A. N. Ramaprakash Affiliation: IUCAA, Pune Conference ID: ASI2017_1022 Title : The Thirty Metre Telescope : a leap from known unknowns to unknown unknowns Authors and Co-Authors : Abstract Type : Abstract Category : Public Talk Abstract : India has joined the Thirty Metre Telescope International Observatory (TIO) project which aims to build a next generation astronomy facility that will use many highly advanced technologies. When construction is completed in the mid-2020s, it will be among the world's largest telescopes and will be capable of addressing some of the most fundamental questions about the nature of the Universe which we live in. The TIO is constituted of partners from Canada, China, Japan and the USA in addition to India. The Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India is jointly supporting this project under the "Mega Facilities for Basic Research" programme. Indian participation in TIO is at about 10% level. Almost 70% of the Indian contribution is made up of high-tech hardware, software and brainware components that is developed within the country through participation from industries and academic institutes. These components include mirror segments, segment support assemblies, edge sensors, actuators, telescope control system, observatory control system, coating plants, detailed science case development etc. The talk will touch upon an overview of the project, its current status, India's contribution to it as well as the myriad challenges and opportunities which an endeavour of this scale offers. |