Canada’s Role in the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (Abstract)

Volume 47 number 2 (2019)

Alan McConnachie

National Research Council Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory), and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, Elliott Building, room 101, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; alan.mcconnachie@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Abstract

(Abstract only) The Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT, 1979–), a 3.5-metre class instrument, has been a consistently productive and competitive instrument during its decades-long life. Science evolves, and the instruments for science must evolve too. The CFHT will be decommissioned in 2021, and the plan is to replace it with the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE), an ambitious 11.25-metre dedicated multi-object spectroscopic facility, which will be the leading instrument of its kind at first light in 2026. Canada is the originator of, and one of the leaders in, the project, which represents an exciting opportunity for the country and its international partners to explore cutting edge science.