Document Detail


A complex multi-notch astronomical filter to suppress the bright infrared sky.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22146400     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A long-standing and profound problem in astronomy is the difficulty in obtaining deep near-infrared observations due to the extreme brightness and variability of the night sky at these wavelengths. A solution to this problem is crucial if we are to obtain the deepest possible observations of the early Universe, as redshifted starlight from distant galaxies appears at these wavelengths. The atmospheric emission between 1,000 and 1,800 nm arises almost entirely from a forest of extremely bright, very narrow hydroxyl emission lines that varies on timescales of minutes. The astronomical community has long envisaged the prospect of selectively removing these lines, while retaining high throughput between them. Here we demonstrate such a filter for the first time, presenting results from the first on-sky tests. Its use on current 8 m telescopes and future 30 m telescopes will open up many new research avenues in the years to come.
Authors:
J Bland-Hawthorn; S C Ellis; S G Leon-Saval; R Haynes; M M Roth; H-G Löhmannsröben; A J Horton; J-G Cuby; T A Birks; J S Lawrence; P Gillingham; S D Ryder; C Trinh
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2011-12-06
Journal Detail:
Title:  Nature communications     Volume:  2     ISSN:  2041-1723     ISO Abbreviation:  Nat Commun     Publication Date:  2011  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-12-07     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101528555     Medline TA:  Nat Commun     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  581     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
1] Sydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia. [2] Institute of Photonics and Optical Science, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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