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Innovative optical technologies for focal plane instrumentation

In principle, the dimensions of the focal plane instruments scale with the diameter of the telescope; nonetheless, the construction of such instruments is presently beyond our technological capabilities. Therefore, there is a need to identify and develop new optical technologies that will surmount this obstacle. As far as infrared spectroscopy is concerned, this is the most attractive technique for research into cold objects (planets and small bodies) close to bright stars.

To tackle these problems the desire to increase the spatial and spectral resolution is ever more pressing, and hence the need to increase as much as possible the available detection area. Italian observatories are involved in the development of next generation infrared spectrometers such as GIANO and NAHUAL for the GTC (Gran Telescopio Canarias). The X-SHOOTER spectrograph for the VLT, dedicated to the acquisition, in a single exposure, of intermediate resolution spectra (R 5000-15000) over a very wide spectral range (UV-NIR), was installed on the VLT in 2008. In general, given the dimensions of these instruments, it is necessary to build them via national and international consortia. This allows us to concentrate our contribution in the areas of maximum expertise and so requires that these are adequately supported.

MeerKAT+: the MeerKAT Extension

Feb 21, 2024

MeerKAT+: the MeerKAT Extension The handover of the first dish of the MeerKAT extension signals an important milestone for the SKA-MID construction

The first discoveries of the Webb space telescope in Rome: public lecture on 29 February

Feb 21, 2024

The first discoveries of the Webb space telescope in Rome: public lecture on 29 February On Thursday 29 February at 6 pm, Prof. Roberto Maiolino of the University of Cambridge (UK) will hold a public lecture on the theme "The invisible Universe revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope" at the Department of Physics of Sapienza University of Rome

The AGILE satellite re-entered the atmosphere

Feb 14, 2024

The AGILE satellite re-entered the atmosphere After 17 years of thriving operations, the AGILE Italian scientific satellite re-entered the atmosphere, thus ending its intense activity as a hunter of some of the most energetic cosmic sources in the Universe that emit gamma and X-rays