capabilities (Figure 5). The team will also
study the potential science cases opened
by including an additional integral field unit
and a spectropolarimetric mode in the instrument design.
OCTOCAM’s key science driver is the study
of astronomical transients. Subsecond time
resolution observations could allow the
identification and characterization of extrasolar planets and their atmospheres through
transits, the study of the internal structures
of stars through asteroseismology, the study
of the Solar System’s history through transNeptunian object occultations, massive stellar explosions and outbursts, supermassive
black hole environments, and the physical
properties of jets.
The study is being led by Antonio de Ugarte
Postigo (Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia; IAA-CSIC) and managed by Pete Roming
(Southwest Research Institute) and Christina Thöne (IAA-CSIC). The project is being
coordinated from the IAA-CSIC, with main
institutional collaborators at the Southwest
Research Institute, Fractal SLNE, and George
Washington University.
For more information on the OCTOCAM
study, please contact:
Antonio de Ugarte (PI): [email protected]
Pete Roming (PM): [email protected]
Christina Thöne (PM, Spain): [email protected]
Figure 5.
A 3D view of the
OCTOCAM concept.
20
GeminiFocus
July 2015