Objective
Of the four fundamental forces in nature, gravity is the least tested one. A uniquely accessible laboratory for gravitational physics is the Galactic Center, hosting the closest massive black hole with 4 million solar masses. Its vicinity and the advent of high-resolution, near-infrared techniques allowed for the observation of ≈ 30 individual stellar orbits in its gravitational field. The stars are ideal test particles for the potential in which they move, and thus the keys to directly probing the gravitational potential are ultra-precise astrometry and radial velocities of the stars.
All data to date can be described by Keplerian orbits around a single central mass. However, relativistic effects will lead to post-Newtonian orbits. These effects will soon be detectable with near-infrared interferometry for faint objects. With the next-generation instrument GRAVITY for the Very Large Telescope Interferometer of ESO the achievable resolution is ≈ 4 mas, and the astrometric accuracy ≈ 10 µas - the scale of the event horizon. This is an improvement of a factor ≈ 20 compared to current, adaptive-optics based data.
PROGRESO aims at detecting the relativistic effects in the stellar orbits around Sgr A*. Also, the emission from hot spots close to the last stable orbit might be used. Scientifically, this will test gravity in a so far unprobed regime of mass and space-time curvature. The spin of the black hole might be determined in this way, and in the most optimistic case test the 'no-hair' theorem. With PROGRESO I would like to start a research group that focuses on interpreting the novel interferometric data of the Galactic Center with yet to be determined instrumental systematics, on exploiting it scientifically and on optimally combining it with existing and future data of the present instruments.
The proposed research group will be hosted at MPE (Garching, Germany), the PI institute for GRAVITY, and therefore have access to commissioning and guaranteed time data.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2012-StG_20111012
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.