UC Santa Cruz: New Telescope to Study Planet Formation

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Groundbreaking Astrophotonic Instrument to Revolutionize planet Detection

A $3.7 million award from the Kavli Foundation will propel the development of a revolutionary instrument poised to dramatically improve the detection and study of planets orbiting nearby stars. The project,a collaboration between the University of California,Santa Cruz,and UCLA,promises to unlock new insights into planetary formation and expand the capabilities of mid-size observatories.

Astronomers have long faced the challenge of observing planets directly due to the overwhelming brightness of their host stars. This new instrument, spearheaded by UC Santa Cruz associate professor Kevin Bundy, will utilize astrophotonic technology to suppress this stellar glare, revealing previously hidden worlds. The device will be deployed at Lick Observatory’s Shane 3-meter Telescope, marking the creation of the first facility-grade astrophotonic instrument globally.

Pioneering Astrophotonic Technology

“This would mark the first facility-class astrophotonic instrument in the world,” Bundy stated. “Lick is only one of two telescopes on Earth where cutting-edge astrophotonic technology is regularly tested.”

Astrophotonic technology builds upon the principles of photonics, which, originating with the development of lasers and masers in the 1960s, focuses on manipulating photons – particles of light. While photonics is widely used in telecommunications, astrophotonics applies this technology to the study of the cosmos. The photons analyzed in this field have traveled immense distances, perhaps quadrillions upon quadrillions of miles, before reaching Earth-based instruments.

According to researchers, directing and manipulating this cosmic light is significantly easier with astrophotonic equipment, leading to increased precision, reduced costs, and enhanced capabilities compared to traditional astronomical instrumentation.

Did you know?– Astrophotonic technology uses light, or photons, to study the universe. It originated with the development of lasers and masers in the 1960s and is now being applied to astronomy.

A Collaborative Effort

Bundy will lead the design and creation of the instrument at UC Santa Cruz, while his counterpart at UCLA, assistant professor Pradip Gatkine, will specialize in developing the astrophotonic chips crucial to the project. The Kavli Foundation’s award will span four years, aiming to accelerate discovery in planetary and stellar science by supporting innovative technologies for mid-size observatories.

The Kavli Foundation’s instrumentation for Astrophysics program seeks to extend the scientific reach of telescopes ranging from 2 to 5 meters, delivering new insights and demonstrating technologies that could eventually be adopted by larger observatories.

Pro tip:– Astrophotonic instruments are more precise,less expensive,and more capable than traditional astronomical tools,offering a meaningful advantage in planet detection.

Building on Existing Research: APALO

The project will build upon the Astrophotonic Advancement at Lick Observatory (APALO) platform, a project already underway at UC santa Cruz. This will involve integrating photonic devices, enhancing the adaptive-optics interface, and providing full observatory support.

the APALO leadership team includes astronomy and astrophysics professors Rebecca Jensen-Clem and Steph Salum, postdoctoral scientist Emiel Por, Lick Observatory staff astronomer Ellie Gates, and principal telescope technician Dan Espinosa. The foundational concept for APALO originated as the Ph.D. thesis of astronomy and astrophysics graduate student Matt DeMartino.

reader question:– What is the goal of the Kavli Foundation’s program? It aims to improve mid-size telescopes and demonstrate technologies for larger observatories.

The Kavli Foundation partnered with philanthropist Keven Wells to facilitate this significant award,