Project description
New methods and instruments for more advanced astronomical observations
In recent decades, adaptive optics (AOs) and sodium laser guide stars (LGSs) have transformed astronomical observations. To meet scientific programme requirements, the new generation of extremely large telescopes (ELTs) will need to incorporate AO-assisted observations. However, to extrapolate current AO technology to ELT dimensions, certain technological barriers and fundamental limitations based on the geometry and properties of LGSs need to be overcome. The EU-funded MOAI project therefore aims to develop methods and instrumentation for laser guide star wavefront sensing (LGSWFS). It will assess the feasibility of LGS tip-tilt correction using the polychromatic laser guide star concept, study and propose an innovative LGSWFS solution for ELTs and demonstrate a new LGSWFS technology. This work will enhance the capabilities of AO-assisted observations.
Objective
Adaptive optics (AO) together with sodium laser guide stars (LGS) have revolutionized astronomical observations in the last decades. The new generation of Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) will require and integrate AO-assisted observations to comply with their scientific programs, however, extrapolating the current AO technology to the dimensions of the ELTs encounters technological barriers (large, sensitive, and fast detectors) and fundamental limitations derived from the geometry and properties of LGS (spot elongation and tip-tilt indetermination). Therefore, the aim of the MOAI project is to develop MethOds And Instrumentation for laser guide star wavefront sensing (LGSWFS), in view of the challenges imposed by the future ELTs. Three specific goals are foreseen, namely: i) evaluate the feasibility of LGS tip-tilt correction using the polychromatic laser guide star concept, ii) investigate and propose an innovative concept of LGSWFS for ELTs, and iii) demonstrate a new LGSWFS technology. The project will be carried out at the Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM) in 24 months. The first and second exploratory-research goals will be accomplished by testing and modeling new LGSWFS concepts using state-of-the-art AO facilities and software developed at LAM, in addition to numerical simulations of LGS. The third goal will be realized through the implementation of an LGSWFS prototype in the laboratory, and post validation of its performance with an on-sky experiment at AO facilities in La Palma. The combination of local AO expertise with the experience of the fellow in LGS will be essential for the success of this project. Achieving the objectives will considerably extend the capabilities of AO-assisted observations, which will constitute a significant contribution of the European action and the fellow to enable new astrophysical discoveries in the upcoming era of ELTs.
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.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 Paris
France
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.