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Issue 153
Messenger Issue 153

The Messenger Issue 153

Highlights include:

  • Pepe, F., Cristiani, S. et al.: ESPRESSO — An Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets Search and Stable Spectroscopic Observations
  • Molaro, P., Monaco, L. et al.: HARPS Observations of the 2012 Transit of Venus
  • Walsh, J., Gillessen, S. et al.: Following the G2 Gas Cloud towards the Galactic Centre
  • Fox, A. J., Richter, P. et al.: The Magellanic Stream — A Tail of Two Galaxies
  • Rigopoulou, D., Laing, R. et al.: Report on the Workshop ''Science with ALMA Band 11 (1.0–1.6 THz)''

Read the full PDF

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Table of Content No. 153 | 2013
Telescopes and Instrumentation
Kraus, M., Tamai, R. et al.
The ESO Product Data Management System — A New Home for ESO’s Technical Documents
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153....2K
Authors:
Kraus, M.; Tamai, R.; Jolley, P.; Hess, G.
Abstract:
Originally the technical archives at ESO grew organically and lacked a single coherent storage and access system. A search for a powerful product data management (PDM) system to unify the document archives of observatory, telescope and instrument technical material was initiated. After a careful assessment of the possible systems, it was decided to implement the Kronodoc system and its recent introduction as the ESO PDM system is described.

Page 2-4 (PDF)
Aerts, C., Hussain, G. et al.
Normal Programme Applications for HARPS are Most Welcome
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153....5A
Authors:
Aerts, C.; Hussain, G.; Patat, F.

Page 5-5 (PDF)
Pepe, F., Cristiani, S. et al.
ESPRESSO — An Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets Search and Stable Spectroscopic Observations
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153....6P
Authors:
Pepe, F.; Cristiani, S.; Rebolo, R.; Santos, N. C.; Dekker, H.; Mégevand, D.; Zerbi, F. M.; Cabral, A.; Molaro, P.; Di Marcantonio, P.; Abreu, M.; Affolter, M.; Aliverti, M.; Allende Prieto, C.; Amate, M.; Avila, G.; Baldini, V.; Bristow, P.; Broeg, C.; Cirami, R.; Coelho, J.; Conconi, P.; Coretti, I.; Cupani, G.; D’Odorico, V.; De Caprio, V.; Delabre, B.; Dorn, R.; Figueira, P.; Fragoso, A.; Galeotta, S.; Genolet, L.; Gomes, R.; González Hernández, J. I.; Hughes, I.; Iwert, O.; Kerber, F.; Landoni, M.; Lizon, J.-L.; Lovis, C.; Maire, C.; Mannetta, M.; Martins, C.; Monteiro, M. A.; Oliveira, A.; Poretti, E.; Rasilla, J. L.; Riva, M.; Santana Tschudi, S.; Santos, P.; Sosnowska, D.; Sousa, S.; Spanò, P.; Tenegi, F.; Toso, G.; Vanzella, E.; Viel, M.; Zapatero Osorio, M. R.
Abstract:
ESPRESSO is the next generation European exoplanet hunter, combining the efficiency of a modern echelle spectrograph with extreme radial velocity and spectroscopic precision. ESPRESSO will be installed in the Combined Coudé Laboratory of the VLT and linked to the four Unit Telescopes (UT) through optical coudé trains, operated either with a single UT or with up to four UTs for 1.5 magnitude gain. The instrumental radial velocity precision will reach the 10 cm s–1 level and ESPRESSO will achieve a gain of two magnitudes with respect to its predecessor HARPS. This is the first VLT instrument using the incoherent combination of light from four telescopes and, together with the extreme precision requirements, calls for many innovative design solutions while ensuring the technical heritage of HARPS.

Page 6-16 (PDF)
Astronomical Science
de Laverny, P., Recio-Blanco, A. et al.
The AMBRE Project: Stellar Parameterisation of ESO Archived Spectra
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...18L
Authors:
de Laverny, P.; Recio-Blanco, A.; Worley, C. C.; De Pascale, M.; Hill, V.; Bijaoui, A.
Abstract:
AMBRE is a Galactic archaeology project set up by ESO and the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur in order to determine the stellar atmospheric parameters for the archived spectra from the ESO spectrographs FEROS, HARPS, UVES and GIRAFFE. A total of about 230000 spectra have now been homogeneously analysed and, for most (i.e., the slow-rotating FGKM-type stars), parameterised by their effective temperatures, surface gravities, global metallicities, α-element to iron abundance ratios and radial velocities. The determination of the stellar parameters is carried out using a pipeline that has been specifically developed for AMBRE. This pipeline is based on the MATISSE algorithm initially developed for the analysis of the Gaia Radial Velocity Spectrometer data.

Page 18-21 (PDF)
Molaro, P., Monaco, L. et al.
HARPS Observations of the 2012 Transit of Venus
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...22M
Authors:
Molaro, P.; Monaco, L.; Barbieri, M.; Zaggia, S.
Abstract:
On 6 June 2012 the black disc of Venus passed across the Solar disc, taking nearly eight hours to complete the transit. The event was followed by millions of people worldwide. The transit of Venus is one of the rarest astronomical events, occurring approximately every 120 years. By means of HARPS spectroscopic observations, and using the Moon as a mirror, we detected the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect due to the eclipse by Venus of the Solar disc with a precision of few cm s–1. The observation demonstrates that this effect can be measured even for transits of exoplanets of Earth size, or even smaller, provided enough photons can be collected by a very high resolution and extremely stable spectrograph, such as the planned HIRES instrument for the E-ELT.

Page 22-24 (PDF)
Walsh, J., Gillessen, S. et al.
Following the G2 Gas Cloud towards the Galactic Centre
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...25W
Authors:
Walsh, J.; Gillessen, S.; Genzel, R.; Fritz, T. K.; Eisenhauer, F.; Pfuhl, O.; Ott, T.; Schartmann, M.; Ballone, A.; Burkert, A.; Hau, G.; Girard, J.; O’Neal, J.; Bonnet, H.
Abstract:
A gas cloud was detected within half an arcsecond of Sagittarius A* in 2011 in L'-band and subsequently in line emission of H and He. The emitting cloud can be traced back in time to 2002 and is in an orbit with a pericentre very close to the central massive black hole at the Galactic Centre. Named G2, the cloud is passing the pericentre from mid-2013 to probably mid-2014 and is being intensively monitored by many facilities. An update on the progress of G2 is reported, based on recent VLT observations with SINFONI.

Page 25-27 (PDF)
Fox, A. J., Richter, P. et al.
The Magellanic Stream — A Tail of Two Galaxies
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...28F
Authors:
Fox, A. J.; Richter, P.; Wakker, B. P.; Lehner, N.; Howk, J. C.; Bland-Hawthorn, J.
Abstract:
Interactions between spiral galaxies and their dwarf satellites are often spectacular, producing extended streams of stripped gas and triggering new generations of star formation. The most striking local example lies in the outer halo of the Milky Way in the form of the Magellanic Stream. Extending for over 140 degrees, the Stream is a giant ribbon of gas trailing the orbit of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Since its discovery over 40 years ago, the Stream has puzzled observers and theorists alike and raised many questions. New spectroscopic observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and VLT/UVES are addressing these questions and finding the origin of the Stream to be surprisingly complex.

Page 28-30 (PDF)
Astronomical News
Ramsay, S., Liske, J. et al.
Report on the Workshop ''Shaping E-ELT Science and Instrumentation''
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...32R
Authors:
Ramsay, S.; Liske, J.; Padovani, P.; Spyromilio, J.
Abstract:
The workshop brought together astronomers from the ESO community, and beyond, with the aim of developing the science cases for the future instrumentation programme for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). The two first-light instruments have already been chosen and the workshop focussed on the science cases for the following three instruments. After a review of the instrumentation programmes of E-ELT and the two other ELT projects, the sessions covered the scientific justifications for a mid-infrared instrument, a high resolution spectrograph and a multi-object spectrograph. A session was also devoted to future instrument concepts and other science cases. The workshop concluded with parallel discussions on the multi-object and high resolution spectrograph options and an open discussion.

Page 32-34 (PDF)
Rigopoulou, D., Laing, R. et al.
Report on the Workshop ''Science with ALMA Band 11 (1.0–1.6 THz)''
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...35R
Authors:
Rigopoulou, D.; Laing, R.; Withington, S.; Magdis, G.; Graves, S.; Richer, J.; Ellison, B.
Abstract:
The workshop formed an important part of an ALMA Development Plan Study, funded by ESO, and covered the science cases for terahertz observations with ALMA. About fifty participants, mostly from Europe, but also from North America and East Asia attended. The meeting was very successful in identifying both extragalactic and Galactic science cases for all three accessible atmospheric transmission windows (centred at 1.04, 1.33 and 1.51 THz) and also discussed the potential of the ALMA site for terahertz observing.

Page 35-37 (PDF)
Dąbrowski, B., Karlický, M.
Report on the 2nd Solar ALMA Workshop
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...38D
Authors:
Dąbrowski, B.; Karlický, M.
Abstract:
The Czech node is one of the ALMA European Regional Centres and is the only one to support solar observations. The second workshop in the series is briefly described: the main themes were the scope of solar observation with ALMA, planning observations and the science that can be achieved.

Page 38-39 (PDF)
Madsen, C.
Retirement of Massimo Tarenghi
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...39M
Authors:
Madsen, C.
Abstract:
Massimo Tarenghi, chronologically MPG/ESO project scientist, NTT project manager, VLT programme manager and first Director, ALMA Director and ESO Representative in Chile, has retired after 35 years at ESO. A brief summary of his achievements is presented.

Page 39-41 (PDF)
Walsh, J., Emsellem, E. et al.
Science Days at ESO
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...42W
Authors:
Walsh, J.; Emsellem, E.; Melo, C.
Abstract:
The motivation for Science Days at ESO, when everyone has an opportunity to briefly present their current research, is outlined. The Science Day held in Garching in 2013 is briefly described as an example.

Page 42-43 (PDF)
Mehner, A., Davis, T.
Fellows at ESO
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...432
Authors:
Mehner, A.; Davis, T.

Page 43-45 (PDF)
ESO
Announcement of the ESO Workshop ''3D2014 — Gas and Stars in Galaxies: A Multi-wavelength 3D Perspective''
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...45.
Authors:
ESO

Page 45-45 (PDF)
ESO
Announcement of the ESO Workshop ''Astrotomography II — Imaging at the Microarcsecond Scale''
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...46.
Authors:
ESO

Page 46-46 (PDF)
ESO
Personnel Movements
More...
ADS BibCode: 2013Msngr.153...47.
Authors:
ESO

Page 47-47 (PDF)

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