The challenge to large optical telescopes from x-ray astronomy

Ann E. Hornschemeier

doi:10.1117/12.460951

13 February 2003 The challenge to large optical telescopes from x-ray astronomy

Ann E. Hornschemeier

Proceedings Volume 4834, Discoveries and Research Prospects from 6- to 10-Meter-Class Telescopes II; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460951
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

In the ROSAT era of the mid-1990's, the problems facing deep X-ray surveys could be largely solved with 10 m class telescopes. In the first decade of this new millennium, with X-ray telescopes such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton in operation, deep X-ray surveys are challenging 10 m telescopes. For example, in the Chandra Deep Field surveys, ≈ 30% of the X-ray sources have optical counterparts fainter than R=25 (I=24). This paper reviews current progress with 6-10 m class telescopes in following up sources discovered in deep X-ray surveys, including results from several X-ray surveys which have depended on telescopes such as Keck, VLT and HET. Topics include the prospects for detecting extreme redshift (z > 6) quasars and the first detections of normal and starburst galaxies at cosmologically interesting distances in the X-ray band. X-ray astronomy can significantly bolster the science case for the next generation of large aperture (30-100 m) ground-based telescopes and has already provided targets for these large telescopes through the Chandra and XMM-Newton surveys. The next generation of X-ray telescopes will continue to challenge large optical telescopes; this review concludes with a discussion of prospects from new X-ray missions coming into operation on a 5-30 year timescale.

Citation Download Citation

Ann E. Hornschemeier "The challenge to large optical telescopes from x-ray astronomy", Proc. SPIE 4834, Discoveries and Research Prospects from 6- to 10-Meter-Class Telescopes II, (13 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460951

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