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Issue 111
Messenger Issue 111

The Messenger Issue 111

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Past Issues
Messenger Issue 195
2025Issue 195
Messenger Issue 194
2025Issue 194
Messenger Issue 193
2024Issue 193
Messenger Issue 192
2024Issue 192
Messenger Issue 191
2023Issue 191
Messenger Issue 190
2023Issue 190
Messenger Issue 189
2022Issue 189
Messenger Issue 188
2022Issue 188
Messenger Issue 187
2022Issue 187
Messenger Issue 186
2022Issue 186
Messenger Issue 185
2021Issue 185
Messenger Issue 184
2021Issue 184
Messenger Issue 183
2021Issue 183
Messenger Issue 182
2021Issue 182
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2020Issue 181
Messenger Issue 180
2020Issue 180
Messenger Issue 179
2020Issue 179
Messenger Issue 178
2019Issue 178
Messenger Issue 177
2019Issue 177
Messenger Issue 176
2019Issue 176
Table of Content No. 111 | 2003
Reports from Observers
Ott, T., Schödel, R. et al.
Inward bound: studying the Galactic Centre with NAOS/CONICA
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111....1O
Authors:
Ott, T.; Schödel, R.; Genzel, R.; Eckart, A.; Lacombe, F.; Rouan, D.; Hofmann, R.; Lehnert, M.; Alexander, T.; Sternberg, A.; Reid, M.; Brandner, W.; Lenzen, R.; Hartung, M.; Gendron, E.; Clénet, Y.; Léna, P.; Rousset, G.; Lagrange, A.-M.; Ageorges, N.; Hubin, N.; Lidman, C.; Moorwood, A.F.M.; Renzini, A.; Spyromilo, J.; Tacconi-Garman, L.E.; Menten, K.M.; Mouawad, N.
Abstract:
We report on the first results obtained using adaptive optics measurements of the Galactic Centre done with NAOS/CONICA.

Page 1-8 (PDF)
Stolte, A., Brandner, W. et al.
NAOS-CONICA performance in a crowded field - the Arches cluster
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111....9S
Authors:
Stolte, A.; Brandner, W.; Grebel, E. K.; Figer, Don F.; Eisenhauer, F.; Lenzen, R.; Harayama, Y.
Abstract:
NAOS-CONICA is a near-infrared imaging camera and spectrograph (CONICA) attached to an adaptive optics (AO) system (NAOS) for wavefront corrections (Lenzen et al. 1998, Rousset et al. 2000). The AO system is designed to deliver diffraction-limited observations at an 8-metre-class telescope. NAOS is equipped with two Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors operating at visual and NIR wavelengths, respectively. Most existing AO systems feed near-infrared (NIR) cameras, but operate at visual wavelengths. In addition to the fact that the spectral energy distribution of bright stars peaks at optical wavelengths, visual detectors offer higher sensitivity and lower read-out noise than NIR detectors, thus allowing one to use fainter targets for wavefront sensing. The restriction to visual reference sources, however, excludes deeply embedded objects located in regions with active star formation or high foreground extinction such as the Galactic Centre. With wavefront sensors operating both at visual and NIR wavelengths, NAOS combines the advantages of visual, faint reference targets with the option to penetrate highly obscured regions containing bright infrared sources. NAOS-CONICA was commissioned on Yepun (UT4) in the course of Period 69. For more detailed information on NACO performance and first light, see Brandner et al. (2002) in The Messenger 107.

Page 9-13 (PDF)
Pettini, M.
Early galactic chemical evolution with UVES
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...13P
Authors:
Pettini, M.
Abstract:
In November 2002 a workshop on the theme 'Early galactic chemical evolution with UVES' was held at ESO in Garching. The workshop served to highlight the major impact which UVES has had, and continues to have, on European astronomy, not only in new results and projects which the instrument has made possible, but also in the increasing dialogue between stellar and extragalactic astronomy, and between observers and theorists.

Page 13-17 (PDF)
Le F
The VIRMOS-VLT Deep Survey: a progress report
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...18L
Authors:
Le F
Abstract:
We describe the start of the survey with the first guaranteed night observations which have been carried out in the October - December 2002 time frame. The general survey strategy, performances, and first results are presented.

Page 18-21 (PDF)
Boehnhardt, H., Barucci, A. et al.
Exploring the icy world of the Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt - an ESO Large Programme
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...22B
Authors:
Boehnhardt, H.; Barucci, A.; Delsanti, A.; de Bergh, C.; Doressoundiram, A.; Romon, J.; Dotto, E.; Tozzi, G.; Lazzarin, M.; Fournisier, S.; Peixinho, N.; Hainaut, O.; Davies, J.; Rousselot, P.; Barrera, L.; Birkle, K.; Meech, K.; Ortiz, J.; Sekiguchi, T.; Watanabe, J.-I.; Thomas, N.; West, R.
Abstract:
The first object in the Edgeworth- Kuiper Belt was observed in 1930, when Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto at a distance of 43 AU (1AU = one astronomical unit, the mean distance between Earth and the Sun = 149.6 million km), i.e. beyond the orbit of Neptune. About 20 years later Edgeworth and Kuiper started to speculate about the existence of another asteroid belt at the edge of the planetary system. Another 30 years later this speculation became an hypothesis when Fernandez and Ip argued for the existence of an Ecliptic-oriented reservoir of icy bodies beyond Neptune as a source for short-period comets, the recruitment of which was difficult to explain by gravitational capturing of Oort Cloud comets through planets when approaching the inner solar system. The hypothesis became reality in 1992, when, during a search campaign for distant asteroids, Jewitt and Luu found 1992 QB1 (now numbered: 15760) at a distance of 41 AU from the Sun.

Page 22-28 (PDF)
Cimatti, A., Daddi, E. et al.
The K20 survey: new light on galaxy formation and evolution
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...29C
Authors:
Cimatti, A.; Daddi, E.; Mignoli, M.; Pozzetti, L.; Fontana, A.; Broadhurst, T.; Poli, F.; Saracco, P.; Renzini, A.; Zamorani, G.; Menci, M.; Cristiani, S.; D'Odorico, S.; Giallongo, E.; Gilmozzi, R.; di Serego Alighieri, S.; Vernet, J.
Abstract:
Despite the recent extraordinary progress in observational cosmology and the successful convergence on a single cosmological model, the history of galaxy and structure formation and evolution remains still an open question. One of the most actively debated issues is how and when the presentday most massive galaxies (e.g. elliptical galaxies and bulges with Mstars > 1011 M) built up and what type of evolution characterized their growth over the cosmic time. Addressing this question is important not only to test the different scenarios of galaxy formation, but also to understand how the general structures of the universe evolved.

Page 29-35 (PDF)
Venemans, B., Miley, G. et al.
Tracing the formation and evolution of clusters and their central massive galaxies to z > 4: a progress report
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...36V
Authors:
Venemans, B.; Miley, G.; Kurk, J.; R
Abstract:
Luminous distant radio galaxies are unique probes of the early Universe. About 15 years ago at Leiden some of us started a programme to find distant radio galaxies, study their properties and use them as probes of the early Universe. The project began as a result of the technique we developed during the late eighties to pinpoint distant radio galaxies, based on their ultra-steep radio spectra (spectral index

Page 36-39 (PDF)
Telescopes and Instrumentation
ESO
ESO and NSF sign agreement on ALMA. Green light for world's most powerful radio observatory
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...39.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
On February 25, 2003, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) signed a historic agreement to construct and operate the world s largest and most powerful radio telescope, operating at millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelengths. The Director General of ESO, Dr. Catherine Cesarsky, and the Director of the NSF, Dr. Rita Colwell, acted for their respective organizations.

Page 39-40 (PDF)
ESO
New Vistas Open with MIDI at the VLT Interferometer
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...40.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
Following several weeks of around-theclock work, a team of astronomers and engineers from Germany, the Netherlands, France and ESO has successfully performed the first observations with the MIDInfrared interferometric instrument (MIDI), a new, extremely powerful instrument just installed in the underground laboratory of the VLT Interferometer (VLTI) at the Paranal Observatory (Chile).

Page 40-40 (PDF)
Doublier, V.
TIMMI2 at the 3.6-m, or The return of MIR
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...41D
Authors:
Doublier, V.
Abstract:
In October 2002, after only 12 weeks of forced retirement, TIMMI2 (Thermal Infrared Multimode Instrument) underwent a major upgrade and was successfully remounted at the Cassegrain focus of the 3.6-m telescope at La Silla. TIMMI2 had a difficult start to 2000, when the tragic and untimely death of PI Hans-Georg Reimann overshadowed the success of the project. The instrument was first commissioned in late 2000, with TNT control software and the Wallace acquisition system. However, after almost two years of continuous operation, it became apparent that an upgrade of the control and acquisition system could improve the reliability of the instrument and reduce the operational load for the staff.

Page 41-42 (PDF)
Other Astronomical News
Alloin, D., Pierre, M. et al.
International Workshop on Structure Evolution and Cosmology: New synergy between ground-based observations, space observations and theory
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...42A
Authors:
Alloin, D.; Pierre, M.; Refregier, A.
Abstract:
An international Workshop, Structure Evolution and Cosmology: New Synergy between Ground-based Observations, Space Observations and Theory , was organized jointly by the European Southern Observatory (ESO/ Chile), the Centre National d Etudes Spatiales (CNES/France) and the Commissariat pour l Energie (CEA/ France), at ESO/Santiago from October 28 to 31, 2002.

Page 42-43 (PDF)
Alloin, D., Gieren, W.
International Workshop on Stellar Candles for the Extragalactic Distance Scale
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...43A
Authors:
Alloin, D.; Gieren, W.
Abstract:
An international Workshop, STELLAR CANDLES for the EXTRAGALACTIC DISTANCE SCALE , was organized jointly by the European Southern Observatory and the Astronomy Group at the University of Concepci

Page 43-44 (PDF)
Leibundgut, B.
Fellows at ESO
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...44L
Authors:
Leibundgut, B.
Abstract:
Since the beginning ESO has provided opportunities for young scientists to interact with the environment of an observatory. Many European astronomers spent some years as post-doctoral Fellows at ESO. The Fellowship programme has been very successful; with only very few exceptions, all former ESO Fellows are now working as astronomers in the community. In addition to developing their scientific careers the Fellows are also asked to contribute to the work of the observatories. In Chile all Fellows are involved in operational activities at Paranal and La Silla, while in Garching they participate in instrument and software development, PR activities, ALMA related studies and surveys. With this issue of The Messenger we start short presentations of Fellows currently at ESO. They describe in their own words what research they pursue and how they are involved in ESO activities. We will continue to present some of the young faces at ESO in the coming issues.

Page 44-45 (PDF)
ESO
URANUS, Rings and Moons
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...45.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
A near-infrared view of the giant planet Uranus with its rings and some of its moons, obtained at a wavelength of 2.2

Page 45-45 (PDF)
Announcements
ESO
ESO Workshop on High-Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy in Astronomy
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111Q..46.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
Infrared spectroscopy at a resolution of a few km/s offers a unique tool to study rotational-vibrational transitions of many abundant molecules as well as important atomic lines in a multitude of interesting astrophysical environments. Applications include the possible direct detection of exosolar planets, measurements of the abundances and magnetic fields of stars, studies of ISM chemistry and the kinematics of stars and gas in galactic centres.

Page 46-46 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Workshop on Large Programmes and Public Surveys
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111R..46.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
An evaluation of the scientific success of the first completed Large Programmes at the VLT and public surveys should take place before the survey telescopes VST and VISTA start operating. To assess the scientific return of the Large Programmes ESO is organizing a three-day workshop in Garching.

Page 46-46 (PDF)
ESO
Personnel Movements
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111Q..47.
Authors:
ESO

Page 47-47 (PDF)
ESO
First Announcement - ESO Workshop on Science with Adaptive Optics
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111R..47.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
Over the past ten years, the concept of adaptive optics has matured from early experimental stages to a standard observing tool now available at many large optical and near-infrared telescope facilities. Indeed, adaptive optics has become an integral part of all present and future large telescope initiatives, and will be essential in exploiting the full potential of the large optical interferometers currently under construction. Adaptive optics has been identified as one of the key technologies for astronomy in the 21st century.

Page 47-47 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Studentship Programme
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111Q..48.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
The European Southern Observatory research student programme aims at providing opportunities and facilities to enhance the Ph.D. programmes of ESO member-state universities. Its goal is to bring young scientists into close contact with the instruments, activities, and people at one of the world s foremost observatories. For more information about ESO s astronomical research activities please consult http://www.eso.org/science/

Page 48-48 (PDF)
ESO
Acronyms Used at ESO Confused?
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111R..48.
Authors:
ESO

Page 48-48 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Workshop Proceedings Still Available
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111Q..52.
Authors:
ESO
Abstract:
ESO Workshop Proceedings Still Available

Page 52-52 (PDF)
Messenger Index
ESO
Subject Index 2002 (Nos. 107 - 110)
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...49.
Authors:
ESO

Page 49-50 (PDF)
ESO
Author Index 2002 (Nos. 107 - 110)
More...
ADS BibCode: 2003Msngr.111...50.
Authors:
ESO

Page 50-51 (PDF)

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