MSV-2035 Astronomy Document - Inside Design - FINAL - FINAL

Astronomy & Astrophysics 71 Figure 10: Artistic impressions of the threeMega Science Projects inA&A in which Indian astronomers are involved. 5.1.1 ThirtyMeterTelescope The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will be one of the three world's most advanced ground-based observatories that will operate in optical and mid-infrared wavelengths. It will be equipped with the latest innovations in precision control, phased array of mirror segments and laser guide star assisted adaptive optics system. At the heart of the telescope is the segmented mirror, made up of 492 individual hexagonal segments, each 1.44-m in size. Precisely aligned, these segments will work as a single reflective surface of 30-m diameter. TMT is an international partnership between Caltech and the Universities of California in the U.S.A, Japan, Canada, China and India. India is a 10% partner, through the DST and DAE. Seventy percent of India's in-kind contribution, is by way of supply of specific hardware and software components.ARIES, IIAand IUCAAare the three main institutes spearheading the efforts of India-TMT, with TIFR as an associate. The activities of India-TMT are coordinated by the India-TMT Coordination Center (ITCC) set up at IIA, which is the nodal institution. The key science goals of TMT range from understanding the distant, very early Universe to the study of our solar system objects. These include understanding the nature of dark energy and dark matter, formation of the first stars and MEGA SCIENCE VISION-2035