Future technologies for optical and infrared telescopes and instruments

Abstract

The theme of this conference is the evolution of telescopes over the last 400 years. I present my view on what the major leaps of technology have been, and attempt to predict what new technologies could come along in the next 50 years to change the way we do astronomy and help us make new discoveries. Are we approaching a peak of innovation and discovery, and will this be followed by a slow decline? Or are there prospects for even further technology leaps and consequent new discoveries? Will global resource and financial crises bring an end to our great ambitions, or will we continue with bigger telescopes and more ambitious space observatories?

Innovative technology for optical and infrared astronomy

“…New techniques in optical and IR astronomy are already being adopted from the rapidly developing field of photonic devices (Cunningham 25 ), and it is possible that concepts in metamaterials and diffractive optics may be used to develop novel wavefront correction and manipulation systems, using structures to transform light that are not available in nature.…”

“…The historic background to disruptive technology in astronomy is explored more fully by Cunningham 2 . Some of the ideas regarding free-flying telescope modules came from the Techbreak technology foresight programme run by the European Science Foundation for the European Space Agency.…”

“…Here we revisit this roadmap, paying particular attention to potentially 'disruptive' technologies which could significantly affect the design and operation of future telescopes and their instrumentation. The historic background to disruptive technology in astronomy is explored more fully by Cunningham 2 . Some of the ideas regarding free-flying telescope modules came from the Techbreak technology foresight programme run by the European Science Foundation for the European Space Agency.…”

The OPTICON technology roadmap for optical and infrared astronomy

“…Nearly all major advances in astronomy have been made possible by the introduction of new technology, from Galileo's discovery of the Jovian moons using his new telescope to the weighing of the black hole at the centre of our Galaxy using adaptive optics [1] [2] Predicting which technologies will produce radical new capabilities and discoveries is difficult, but it is necessary to make our best attempts at this in order to make good use of limited resources for R&D programmes. In the European Union funded OPTICON network we have been developing a roadmap over the course of the Framework 6 and 7 programmes in order to guide decision making on which technologies to encourage through joint research activities.…”