NRC to play central role in Canada's $243.5-million commitment to Thirty Meter Telescope

Canada's decision to fully back the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project with $243.5 million over 10 years is being welcomed throughout the tightly knit astronomy and astrophysics research communities as a major step forward in Canada's determination to remain a major player in the global drive to accelerate discovery of the universe.

The pre-Budget announcement provides approximately $50 million to NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics (formerly the Herzberg Institute for Astrophysics) to develop a Narrow-Field Infrared Adaptive Optics (AO) System (NFIRAOS -pronounced nefarious).

The TMT is being constructed on the Mauna Kea volcano of Hawaii where several other large telescope projects are situated. Once complete, TMT will be enclosed in a 22-metre observatory to hold its primary mirror which measures 30 metres across.

The bulk of the funding — nearly $200 million — will fund the construction of the facility's domed structure, designed and built by Dynamic Structure Ltd, Port Coquitlam BC. More details are anticipated in the federal Budget which will be tabled April 21st.

NFIRAOS employs two deformable mirrors to correct aberrations due to atmospheric turbulence, delivering the imagery to one of three client instrument ports.

By combining precision optics, high-performance sensors and control systems, AO systems cancel the blurring or distortion effect of the atmosphere. It accomplishes this by using a wavefront sensor to receive astronomical light, a deformable mirror that lies in the optical path, and a computer that receives input from the detector.

"It's the heart of the TMT and Canada will deliver it. It's unique and cutting edge," says Dr Luc Simard, an NRC Herzberg research officer on loan to the TMT project as head of the instruments group. "This is extremely exciting news for Canadian astronomy."

Canada's participation in the $1.5-billion TMT is coordinated through the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA), of which NRC is an active contributor. Simard says that despite the fundamental nature of astronomical research and adaptive optics, there is considerable potential for spill-over benefits in sectors that make significant contributions to the economy.

"Adaptive optics systems cut across a whole bunch of things and cascade through other fields like medical scanners, defence and telecommunications. The return on investment in the past has been excellent," says Simard. "Telescope domes are exotic structures but they can also be applied to things like roller coasters or stadiums that require a moveable roof. It's all about mechanical engineering expertise."

Prior to Canada's full commitment, various Canadian sources have contributed approximately $30 million to pre-construction activities, primarily through the NRC and Canada Foundation for Innovation. The TMT is seen as a complement to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWT) in tracing the evolution of galaxies and the formation of stars and planets.

Canadian astronomy ranks highly

Canada's status as a leader in astronomy and astrophysics research is undeniable. A 2011 bibliometric survey by Montreal-based Science Metrix placed Canada fifth among the top 15 leaders in the field. The survey — part of a larger National Research Council study — found that Canada improved its ranking from ninth in 1998 with 78% of scientific papers authored by at least one international partner. The only weakness revealed in the study was Canada's lack of specialization in the field, although it was noted that greater specialization may be achieved at the expense of "high scientific impact and/or quality" (R$, September 13/11).

A 2012 report by the Council of Canadian Academies using the barometer of average relative citations also ranked the sub-field of astronomy and astrophysics highly. The report placed Canada's performance within the top three countries in the world (R$, October 10/12).

Several reports on Canada's latest contribution to the TMT noted that the government delayed its decision to the point where the time table for the complex project was pushed back. Simard disagrees and says the schedule was crafted to allow each of the partners time to secure their funding. When initial construction commenced last year, Canada and Italy were the only countries still working through their funding.

"The schedule is working beautifully. Canada has made such an incredible investment in the project," he says. "The dome and the AO system are key to its success and Canada is known worldwide as an incredible collaborator."

The TMT project was founded in June/03 by the California Institute of Technology, the Univ of California and ACURA through the merger of three earlier large telescope projects. Its intent is to push the frontiers of technology beyond the current generation of frontline facilities. TMT was identified as Canada's top priority in the 2010 current Long Range Plan for Astronomy and Astrophysics, developed by the Canadian Astronomical Society.

The plan describes NRC Herzberg as " a de facto national laboratory, to serve its mandated role to operate and administer astronomical observatories established or maintained by the Government of Canada".

In addition to TMT and JWT, Canada is also engaged in the Square Kilometre Array telescope project and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array radio telescope, both in Hawaii. Last month, Industry Canada provided $2.6 million to COM DEV International Ltd to integrate sensors and science instruments into JWT.

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