| Speaker: | Richard Ellis (UCL) |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Wide Field Spectroscopic Telescope: ESO’s Next “Big Thing”? |
| Date (JST): | Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 15:30 - 17:00 |
| Place: | Seminar Room A |
| Abstract: |
I describe recent progress in defining the science case and technical design of WST - a 12 metre class optical/near infrared dedicated spectroscopic survey telescope with a field of view of 3.1 square degrees. The focal plane will be equipped with a 30,000 multi-fibre capability and an on-axis 9 square arcminute integral field spectrograph both of which can be operated simultaneously The WST concept originated with a report entitled “The Future of Multi-Object Spectroscopy” following the deliberations of an international committee which I chaired in 2016. After limited design effort due to the pressure of completing ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope, WST is now undertaking a 3-year conceptual design funded by a EU Horizon Infrastructure Award together with a significant Australian financial contribution. WST is actively responding to ESO’s Expanding Horizons call for possible next-generation facilities in the 2040s for which a selection may be expected in late 2028. |
