Event Details
The Search for Origins: Technological Challenges of the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan
Presenter: Dave Crampton - Instrumentation Group, Hertzberg Institute for Astrophysics
Supervisor: L.A.C.I.R.
Date: Wed, April 3, 2002
Time: 13:30:00 - 15:30:00
Place: Elliot room 160
ABSTRACT
Over the past few years Canadian astronomers developed a vision for astronomy and astrophysics in the beginning of the 21st century (see http://www.casca.ca/lrp/) and, recently, were partially successful in securing funding. As a result, Canadians will participate in some of the most exciting "world observatory" projects: NGST (Next Generation Space Telescope), ALMA (Atacama Large Millimetre Array), LOT (Large Optical Telescope) and SKA (Square Kilometre Array). In addition to providing forefront facilities for astronomers, there are many exciting engineering challenges. Much of the funding for these projects will be channeled through the Herzberg Institute for Astrophysics but it is anticipated that a substantial fraction of Canada's contributions will be carried out in collaboration with Canadian universities and industries. The aim of this presentation will be to briefly discuss the "Origins" theme and to explore and initiate potential collaborations at UVIC.
David Crampton is the Leader of the Instrumentation Group of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (HIA). He received his Ph D in Astronomy at the University of Toronto and has been a member of the staff at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory since 1967. The HIA Instrumentation Group has a staff of about 40 optical, mechanical, electronic and software engineers and technologists.