European
Southern
Observatory

The Messenger

The Messenger is ESO’s journal for science and technology. It serves as a link between ESO and its broad astronomical community by providing information about scientific, technical, and other developments. It also delivers relevant news about astronomy and astrophysics to a broader public, including policy-makers, government officials, journalists, teachers, and amateur astronomers, as well as to interested scientists from other fields.

The Messenger is published twice per year and is available for free download as a PDF here and via the digital publishing platform Scribd.

Subscribe
If you wish to receive the new issue directly into your inbox, sign up here:
Issue 182
Messenger Issue 182

The Messenger Issue 182

Highlights include:

  • Ramsay, S., Cirasuolo, M. et al.: Instrumentation for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope
  • Mainieri, V., Circosta, C. et al.: SUPER — AGN Feedback at Cosmic Noon: a Multi-phase and Multi-scale Challenge
  • Castro, N., Roth, M. et al.: Mapping the Youngest and Most Massive Stars in the Tarantula Nebula with MUSE-NFM

Read the full PDF

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 181
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. 182 | 2021
ELT Instrumentation
Ramsay, S., Cirasuolo, M. et al.
Instrumentation for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182....3R
Authors:
Ramsay, S., Cirasuolo, M., Amico, P., Bezawada, N., Caillier, P., Derie, F., Dorn, R., Egner, S., George, E., Gonté, F., Hammersley, P., Haupt, C., Ives, D., Jakob, G., Kerber, F., Mainieri, V., Manescau, A., Oberti, S., Peroux, C., Pfuhl, O., Seemann, U., Siebenmorgen, R., Schmid, C., Vernet, J., The ESO ELT Programme and follow-up team
Abstract:
Design and construction of the instruments for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) began in 2015. We present here a brief overview of the status of the ELT Instrumentation Plan. Dedicated articles on each instrument are presented elsewhere in this volume.

Page 3-6 (PDF)
Thatte, N., Tecza, M. et al.
HARMONI: the ELT’s First-Light Near-infrared and Visible Integral Field Spectrograph
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182....7T
Authors:
Thatte, N., Tecza, M., Schnetler, H., Neichel, B., Melotte, D., Fusco, T., Ferraro-Wood, V., Clarke, F., Bryson, I., O’Brien, K., Mateo, M., Garcia Lorenzo, B., Evans, C., Bouché, N., Arribas, S., The HARMONI Consortium
Abstract:
The High Angular Resolution Monolithic Optical and Near-infrared Integral field spectrograph (HARMONI) is the visible and near-infrared (NIR), adaptive-optics-assisted, integral field spectrograph for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). It will have both a single-conjugate adaptive optics (SCAO) mode (using a single bright natural guide star) and a laser tomographic adaptive optics (LTAO) mode (using multiple laser guide stars), providing near diffraction-limited hyper-spectral imaging. A unique high-contrast adaptive optics with high performance and good sky coverage, respectively (AO) capability has recently been added for exoplanet characterisation. A large detector complement of eight HAWAII-4RG arrays, four choices of spaxel scale, and 11 grating choices with resolving powers ranging from R ~ 3000 to R ~ 17 000 make HARMONI a very versatile instrument that can cater to a wide range of observing programmes.

Page 7-12 (PDF)
Ciliegi, P., Agapito, G. et al.
MAORY: A Multi-conjugate Adaptive Optics RelaY for ELT
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...13C
Authors:
Ciliegi, P., Agapito, G., Aliverti, M., Annibali, F., Arcidiacono, C., Balestra, A., Baruffolo, A., Bergomi, M., Bianco, A., Bonaglia, M., Busoni, L., Cantiello, M., Cascone, E., Chauvin, G., Chinellato, S., Cianniello, V., Correia, J., Cosentino, G., Dall’Ora, M., De Caprio, V., Devaney, N., Di Antonio, I., Di Cianno, A., Di Giammatteo, U., D’Orazi, V., Di Rico, G., Dolci, M., Doutè, S., Eredia, C., Farinato, J., Esposito, S., Fantinel, D., Feautrier, P., Foppiani, I., Giro, E., Gluck, L., Golden, A., Goncharov, A., Grani, P., Gullieuszik, M., Haguenauer, P., Hénault, F., Hubert, Z., Le Louran, M., Magrin, D., Maiorano, E., Mannucci, F., Malone, D., Marafatto, L., Moraux, E., Munari, M., Oberti, S., Pariani, G., Pettazzi, L., Plantet, C., Podio, L., Portaluri, E., Puglisi, A., Ragazzoni, R., Rakich, A., Rabou, P., Redaelli, E., Redman, M., Riva, M., Rochat, S., Rodeghiero, G., Salasnich, B., Saracco, P., Sordo, R., Spavone, M., Sztefek, M., Valentini, A., Vanzella, E., Verinaud, C., Xompero, M., Zaggia, S.
Abstract:
The Multi-conjugate Adaptive Optics RelaY (MAORY) is the adaptive optics (AO) module for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) that will provide two gravity-invariant ports with the same optical quality for two different client instruments. It will enable high-angular-resolution observations in the near-infrared over a large field of view (~ 1 arcminute2) by real-time compensation of the wavefront distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence. Wavefront sensing is performed using laser and natural guide stars while the wavefront sensor compensation is performed by an adaptive deformable mirror (DM) in MAORY which works together with the telescope’s adaptive and tip-tilt mirrors M4 and M5 respectively.

Page 13-16 (PDF)
Davies, R., Hörmann, V. et al.
MICADO: The Multi-Adaptive Optics Camera for Deep Observations
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...17D
Authors:
Davies, R., Hörmann, V., Rabien, S., Sturm, E., Alves, J., Clénet, Y., Kotilainen, J., Lang-Bardl, F., Nicklas, H., Pott, J., Tolstoy, E., Vulcani, B., The MICADO Consortium
Abstract:
The Multi-adaptive optics Imaging CamerA for Deep Observations (MICADO) will image a field of view of nearly 1 arcminute at the diffraction limit of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), making use of the adaptive optics correction provided by single-conjugate adaptive optics (SCAO) and multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO). Its simple and robust design will yield an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and resolution across the field. This article outlines the characteristics of the observing modes offered and illustrates each of them with an astrophysical application. Potential users can explore their own ideas using the data simulator ScopeSim.

Page 17-21 (PDF)
Brandl, B., Bettonvil, F. et al.
METIS: The Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...22B
Authors:
Brandl, B., Bettonvil, F., van Boekel, R., Glauser, A., Quanz, S., Absil, O., Amorim, A., Feldt, M., Glasse, A., Güdel, M., Ho, P., Labadie, L., Meyer, M., Pantin, E., van Winckel, H., The METIS Consortium
Abstract:
The Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS) will provide the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) with a unique window to the thermal- and mid-infrared (3–13 µm). Its single-conjugate adaptive optics (SCAO) system will enable high contrast imaging and integral field unit (IFU) spectroscopy (R ~ 100 000) at the diffraction limit of the ELT. This article describes the science drivers, conceptual design, observing modes, and expected performance of METIS.

Page 22-26 (PDF)
Marconi, A., Abreu, M. et al.
HIRES, the High-resolution Spectrograph for the ELT
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...27M
Authors:
Marconi, A., Abreu, M., Adibekyan, V., Aliverti, M., Allende Prieto, C., Amado, P., Amate, M., Artigau, E., Augusto, S., Barros, S., Becerril, S., Benneke, B., Bergin, E., Berio, P., Bezawada, N., Boisse, I., Bonfils, X., Bouchy, F., Broeg, C., Cabral, A., Calvo-Ortega, R., Canto Martins, B., Chazelas, B., Chiavassa, A., Christensen, L., Cirami, R., Coretti, I., Covino, S., Cresci, G., Cristiani, S., Cunha Parro, V., Cupani, G., de Castro Leão, I., Renan de Medeiros, J., Furlande Souza, M., Di Marcantonio, P., Di Varano, I., D’Odorico, V., Doyon, R., Drass, H., Figueira, P., Belen Fragoso, A., Uldall Fynbo, J., Gallo, E., Genoni, M., González Hernández, J., Haehnelt, M., Hlavacek-Larrondo, J., Hughes, I., Huke, P., Humphrey, A., Kjeldsen, H., Korn, A., Kouach, D., Landoni, M., Liske, J., Lovis, C., Lunney, D., Maiolino, R., Malo, L., Marquart, T., Martins, C., Mason, E., Molaro, P., Monnier, J., Monteiro, M., Mordasini, C., Morris, T., Mucciarelli, A., Murray, G., Niedzielski, A., Nunes, N., Oliva, E., Origlia, L., Pallé, E., Pariani, G., Parr-Burman, P., Peñate, J., Pepe, F., Pinna, E., Piskunov, N., Rasilla Piñeiro, J., Rebolo, R., Rees, P., Reiners, A., Riva, M., Romano, D., Rousseau, S., Sanna, N., Santos, N., Sarajlic, M., Shen, T., Sortino, F., Sosnowska, D., Sousa, S., Stempels, E., Strassmeier, K., Tenegi, F., Tozzi, A., Udry, S., Valenziano, L., Vanzi, L., Weber, M., Woche, M., Xompero, M., Zackrisson, E., Zapatero Osorio, M.
Abstract:
HIRES will be the high-resolution spectrograph at optical and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). It will consist of three fibre-fed spectrographs providing a wavelength coverage of 0.4–1.8 µm (with a goal of 0.35–1.8 µm) at a spectral resolution of ~ 100 000. Fibre-feeding allows HIRES to have several interchangeable observing modes, including a single-conjugate adaptive optics (SCAO) module and a small diffraction-limited integral field unit in the NIR. It will therefore be able to operate in both seeing- and diffraction-limited modes. HIRES will address a wide range of science cases spanning nearly all areas of research in astrophysics and even fundamental physics. Some of the top science cases will be the detection of biosignatures from exoplanet atmospheres, finding the fingerprints of the first generation of stars (Pop III), tests on the stability of Nature’s fundamental couplings, and the direct detection of the cosmic acceleration. The HIRES consortium is composed of more than 30 institutes from 14 countries, forming a team of more than 200 scientists and engineers.

Page 27-32 (PDF)
Hammer, F., Morris, S. et al.
MOSAIC on the ELT: High-multiplex Spectroscopy to Unravel the Physics of Stars and Galaxies from the Dark Ages to the Present Day
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...33H
Authors:
Hammer, F., Morris, S., Cuby, J., Kaper, L., Steinmetz, M., Afonso, J., Barbuy, B., Bergin, E., Finogenov, A., Gallego, J., Kassin, S., Miller, C., Östlin, G., Pentericci, L., Schaerer, D., Ziegler, B., Chemla, F., Dalton, G., De Frondat, F., Evans, C., Le Mignant, D., Puech, M., Rodrigues, M., Sanchez-Janssen, R., Taburet, S., Tasca, L., Yang, Y., Zanchetta, S., Dohlen, K., Dubbeldam, M., El Hadi, K., Janssen, A., Kelz, A., Larrieu, M., Lewis, I., MacIntosh, M., Morris, T., Navarro, R., Seifert, W.
Abstract:
The powerful combination of the cutting-edge multi-object spectrograph named MOSAIC with the world largest visible/near-infrared telescope, ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), will allow us to probe deeper into the Universe than ever before. MOSAIC is an extremely efficient instrument for obtaining spectra of the numerous faint sources in the Universe, including the very first galaxies and sources of cosmic reionisation. MOSAIC has a high multiplex in the near-infrared (NIR) and in the visible, and also has multi-integral field units (Multi-IFUs) in the NIR. It is therefore perfectly suited to carrying out an inventory of dark matter (from rotation curves) and baryons in the cool–warm gas phases in galactic haloes at z = 3–4. MOSAIC will enable detailed maps of the intergalactic medium at z = 3, the evolutionary history of dwarf galaxies during a Hubble time, and the chemistry as directly measured from stars up to several Mpc. It will also measure faint features in cluster gravitational lenses or in streams surrounding nearby galactic haloes. The preliminary design of MOSAIC is expected to begin next year and its level of readiness is already high, given the instrumental studies already carried out by the team.

Page 33-37 (PDF)
Kasper, M., Cerpa Urra, N. et al.
PCS — A Roadmap for Exoearth Imaging with the ELT
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...38K
Authors:
Kasper, M., Cerpa Urra, N., Pathak, P., Bonse, M., Nousiainen, J., Engler, B., Heritier, C., Kammerer, J., Leveratto, S., Rajani, C., Bristow, P., Le Louarn, M., Madec, P., Ströbele, S., Verinaud, C., Glauser, A., Quanz, S., Helin, T., Keller, C., Snik, F., Boccaletti, A., Chauvin, G., Mouillet, D., Kulcsár, C., Raynaud, H.
Abstract:
The Planetary Camera and Spectrograph (PCS) for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will be dedicated to detecting and characterising nearby exoplanets with sizes from sub-Neptune to Earth-size in the neighbourhood of the Sun. This goal is achieved by a combination of eXtreme Adaptive Optics (XAO), coronagraphy and spectroscopy. PCS will allow us not only to take images, but also to look for biosignatures such as molecular oxygen in the exoplanets’ atmospheres. This article describes the PCS primary science goals, the instrument concept and the research and development activities that will be carried out over the coming years.

Page 38-43 (PDF)
Astronomical Science
Mainieri, V., Circosta, C. et al.
SUPER — AGN Feedback at Cosmic Noon: a Multi-phase and Multi-scale Challenge
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...45M
Authors:
Mainieri, V., Circosta, C., Kakkad, D., Perna, M., Vietri, G., Bongiorno, A., Brusa, M., Carniani, S., Cicone, C., Civano, F., Comastri, A., Cresci, G., Feruglio, C., Fiore, F., Georgakakis, A., Harrison, C., Husemann, B., Lamastra, A., Lamperti, I., Lanzuisi, G., Mannucci, F., Marconi, A., Menci, N., Merloni, A., Netzer, H., Padovani, P., Piconcelli, E., Puglisi, A., Salvato, M., Scholtz, J., Schramm, M., Silverman, J., Vignali, C., Zamorani, G., Zappacosta, L.
Abstract:
Theoretical models of galaxy evolution suggest that galaxy-wide outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGN), one of the so-called AGN-feedback mechanisms, are a fundamental process affecting the bulk of the baryons in the Universe. While the presence of such outflows out to kpc scales is now undisputed, their impact on the star formation, gas content and kinematics of the host galaxy is hotly debated. Here we report on the results from our Large Programme SUPER, which used the Spectrograph for INtegral Field Observations in the Near INfrared (SINFONI) on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to carry out the first statistically sound high-spatial-resolution investigation of AGN outflows at z ~ 2, covering four orders of magnitude in AGN bolometric luminosity.

Page 45-49 (PDF)
Castro, N., Roth, M. et al.
Mapping the Youngest and Most Massive Stars in the Tarantula Nebula with MUSE-NFM
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...50C
Authors:
Castro, N., Roth, M., Weilbacher, P., Micheva, G., Monreal-Ibero, A., Kelz, A., Kamann, S., Maseda, M., Wendt, M., The MUSE collaboration
Abstract:
The evolution of the most massive stars is a puzzle with many missing pieces. Statistical analyses are key to providing anchors to calibrate theory, but performing these studies is an arduous job. The state-of-the-art integral field spectrograph Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) has stirred up stellar astrophysicists, who are excited about its ability to take spectra of up to a thousand stars in a single exposure. The excitement was even greater with the commissioning of the MUSE narrow-field mode (MUSE-NFM) that has demonstrated angular resolution akin to that of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We present the first mapping of the dense stellar core R136 in the Tarantula nebula based on a MUSE-NFM mosaic. We aim to deliver the first homogeneous analysis of the most massive stars in the local Universe and to explore the impact of these peculiar objects on the interstellar medium (ISM).

Page 50-53 (PDF)
Astronomical News
Berg, T., Ribas, Á.
Fellows at ESO
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...55E
Authors:
Berg, T., Ribas, Á.

Page 55-56 (PDF)
Zerbi, F., Fontana, A.
In memoriam Nichi D’Amico
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...57Z
Authors:
Zerbi, F., Fontana, A.

Page 57-57 (PDF)
Lyubenova, M.
Message from the Editor
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...58L
Authors:
Lyubenova, M.

Page 58-59 (PDF)
ESO
Personnel Movements
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...60E
Authors:
ESO

Page 60-60 (PDF)
ESO
Annual Index 2020 (Nos. 179–181)
More...
ADS BibCode: 2021Msngr.182...61E
Authors:
ESO

Page 61-63 (PDF)

Our use of Cookies

We use cookies that are essential for accessing our websites and using our services. We also use cookies to analyse, measure and improve our websites’ performance, to enable content sharing via social media and to display media content hosted on third-party platforms.

You can manage your cookie preferences and find out more by visiting 'Cookie Settings and Policy'.

ESO Cookies Policy


The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the pre-eminent intergovernmental science and technology organisation in astronomy. It carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities for astronomy.

This Cookies Policy is intended to provide clarity by outlining the cookies used on the ESO public websites, their functions, the options you have for controlling them, and the ways you can contact us for additional details.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your device by websites you visit. They serve various purposes, such as remembering login credentials and preferences and enhance your browsing experience.

Categories of cookies we use

Essential cookies (always active): These cookies are strictly necessary for the proper functioning of our website. Without these cookies, the website cannot operate correctly, and certain services, such as logging in or accessing secure areas, may not be available; because they are essential for the website’s operation, they cannot be disabled.

Cookie ID/Name
Description/Purpose
Provider (1st party or 3rd party)
Browser session cookie or Stored cookie?
Duration
csrftoken
XSRF protection token. We use this cookie to protect against cross-site request forgery attacks.
1st party
Stored
1 year
user_privacy
Your privacy choices. We use this cookie to save your privacy preferences.
1st party
Stored
6 months
_grecaptcha
We use reCAPTCHA to protect our forms against spam and abuse. reCAPTCHA sets a necessary cookie when executed for the purpose of providing its risk analysis. We use www.recaptcha.net instead of www.google.com in order to avoid unnecessary cookies from Google.
3rd party
Stored
6 months

Analytics cookies: These cookies collect information about how visitors interact with our website, such as which pages are visited most often and how users navigate the site. This data helps us improve website performance, optimize content, and enhance the user experience; these cookies are only placed if you provide your consent. We use the following analytics cookies.

Matomo Cookies:

This website uses Matomo (formerly Piwik), an open source software which enables the statistical analysis of website visits. Matomo uses cookies (text files) which are saved on your computer and which allow us to analyze how you use our website. The website user information generated by the cookies will only be saved on the servers of our IT Department. We use this information to analyze www.eso.org visits and to prepare reports on website activities. These data will not be disclosed to third parties.

On behalf of ESO, Matomo will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage.

ON | OFF

Matomo cookies settings:

Cookie ID/Name
Description/Purpose
Provider (1st party or 3rd party)
Browser session cookie or Stored cookie?
Duration
Settings
_pk_id
Stores a unique visitor ID.
1st party
Stored
13 months
_pk_ses
Session cookie temporarily stores data for the visit.
1st party
Stored
30 minutes
_pk_ref
Stores attribution information (the referrer that brought the visitor to the website).
1st party
Stored
6 months
_pk_testcookie
Temporary cookie to check if a visitor’s browser supports cookies (set in Internet Explorer only).
1st party
Stored
Temporary cookie that expires almost immediately after being set.

Additional Third-party cookies on ESO websites: some of our pages display content from external providers, e.g. YouTube.

Such third-party services are outside of ESO control and may, at any time, change their terms of service, use of cookies, etc.

YouTube: Some videos on the ESO website are embedded from ESO’s official YouTube channel. We have enabled YouTube’s privacy-enhanced mode, meaning that no cookies are set unless the user actively clicks on the video to play it. Additionally, in this mode, YouTube does not store any personally identifiable cookie data for embedded video playbacks. For more details, please refer to YouTube’s embedding videos information page.

Cookies can also be classified based on the following elements.

Regarding the domain, there are:

As for their duration, cookies can be:

How to manage cookies

Cookie settings: You can modify your cookie choices for the ESO webpages at any time by clicking on the link Cookie settings at the bottom of any page.

In your browser: If you wish to delete cookies or instruct your browser to delete or block cookies by default, please visit the help pages of your browser:

Please be aware that if you delete or decline cookies, certain functionalities of our website may be not be available and your browsing experience may be affected.

You can set most browsers to prevent any cookies being placed on your device, but you may then have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site/page. And some services and functionalities may not work properly at all (e.g. profile logging-in, shop check out).

Updates to the ESO Cookies Policy

The ESO Cookies Policy may be subject to future updates, which will be made available on this page.

Additional information

For any queries related to cookies, please contact: pdprATesoDOTorg.

As ESO public webpages are managed by our Department of Communication, your questions will be dealt with the support of the said Department.