MUSE Imaging of the Cosmic Web – Ultra-Deep Observations of Intergalactic and Circumgalactic Gas

Objective

"This project aims at making major advances in our understanding of galaxy formation through the direct detection and spectroscopic mapping of gas outside of galaxies at high redshifts. This experiment will employ the 2nd generation ESO-VLT instrument MUSE, currently being finalised under my leadership. MUSE is a highly innovative integral field spectrograph featuring an unparalleled combination of large field of view, excellent angular resolution, and sensitivity to faint signals. The instrument will arrive at the observatory in mid 2013 and soon after begin with the buildup of a revolutionary set of “spectroscopic deep fields”, which will constitute a significant fraction of the 255 nights of observing time granted to the MUSE consortium in return for their investment.
The focus of this ERC proposal is the study of the gaseous environments of galaxies, and their links to the general inter¬galactic medium. Observationally it is extremely difficult to trace the inferred gas flows, because of their low predicted surface brightnesses and filamentary geometry. Only MUSE will have the sensitivity to detect and map them directly, through the Lyα emission line of recombining hydrogen. MUSE will also provide spectroscopic (kinematic) constraints on these gas flows, which will be essential for quantitative comparisons with numerical simulations.
A dedicated team will address the many challenges of this scientific endeavor in a comprehensive way. It will involve the characterization of the instrument and its systematics; the development of advanced data reduction and data analysis tools in a coordinated multidisciplinary approach, involving astronomers as well as experts in image and signal processing; and the interpretation of the results in conjunction with the latest high-resolution cosmological simulations. Upon completion, MUSICOS will deliver an entirely new view at the early stages of galaxy formation and the growth of baryonic mass in the young universe."

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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

• natural sciences computer and information sciences data science
• engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering signal processing
• natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
• natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology galaxy evolution

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

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.

• ERC-AG-PE9 - ERC Advanced Grant - Universe sciences

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2013-ADG
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.

ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant

Host institution

Beneficiaries (1)