Imaging at the diffraction limit of the VLT is a crucial aspect of many astrophysical programs. While this capability is currently provided by NACO with its unique infrared wavefront sensor, the roadmap for future instrumentation does not include a diffraction limited imager. Some of NACO’s capabilities will be taken over by HAWK-I (delivering improved seeing via GLAO), SPHERE/IRDIS (optimized for high strehl on bright optical sources), and also by JWST. However, a multitude of applications—specifically, long term monitoring projects to track variability and proper motions—will not be feasible with these instruments. Science cases include obscured star forming regions, high velocity stars, the Galactic Center, and active galactic nuclei.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
F. Eisenhauer, R. Genzel, T. Alexander et al., Astrophys. J. 628, 246 (2005)
R. Genzel, R. Schödel, T. Ott et al., Nature 425, 934 (2003)
S. Gillessen, F. Eisenhauer, E. Quataert et al., Astrophys. J. 640, 163 (2006)
A. Eckart, R. Schödel, L. Meyer et al., Astron. Astrophys. 455, 1 (2006)
A. Eckart, F.K. Baganoff, R. Schödel et al., Astron. Astrophys. 450, 535 (2006)
S. Trippe, T. Paumard, T. Ott et al., Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 375, 764 (2007)
M. Suganuma et al., in The Central Engine of Active Galactic Nuclei, ed. by L.C. Ho, J.-M. Wang. ASP Conf. Ser., vol. 373 (2007), p. 462
G. Cresci, F. Mannucci, M. Della Valle, R. Maiolino, Astron. Astrophys. 462, 927 (2007)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Ott, T., Davies, R., Eisenhauer, F., Genzel, R., Hofmann, R., Gillessen, S. (2009). The Need for a General Purpose Diffraction Limited Imager at the VLT. In: Moorwood, A. (eds) Science with the VLT in the ELT Era. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9190-2_86
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9190-2_86
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-9189-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-9190-2
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)