The UKIDSS Ultradeep Survey – Mapping the Early Stages of Galaxy Formation

Abstract

The UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) is scheduled to commence in mid 2004, using the new Wide-Field Camera (WFCAM) to carry out a major series of long-term public surveys. Data will become public to the entire ESO community immediately. In this paper I briefly describe the camera and the UKIDSS survey plans, highlighting the Ultra-Deep Survey in particular which plans to reach depths of K=23, H=24 and J=25 over an unprecedented 0.8 deg² region. This will map an enormous volume of the high-redshift Universe, providing the first detailed picture of large scale structure at z~ 3.