Grant: Special Research Opportunity Program - Project

The Thirty Meter Telescope will be one of the landmark science facilities of the 21st century. It will allow the characterization of the properties of extra-solar planets, help determine the nature of dark energy that is speeding up the expansion of the universe, follow the processes that form stars, galaxies and planets, and contribute to the advance of fundamental physics through the study of black holes and the physical forces that prevailed during the Big Bang. The TMT partnership is composed of Caltech, the University of California, AURA (operator of the US National Optical Astronomical Observatories and the Space Telescope Science Institute) and ACURA (a new association of 21 Canadian universities that undertake astrophysical research). The project has raised US$64M for the Detailed Design Phase (DDP), initiated in 2003 and ending in 2009 as the project moves into construction. Canada has established a strong intellectual and industrial position through its 25% share of the project. This proposal requests the second and final installment of the DDP, which along with matchng funds from NRC and pre-existing funding from CFI, Ontario and BC will allow us to meet our commitments to complete our share of the design work and begin to reap the benefits of our engagement in this exciting project. The broadly based funding support and direct university engagement reflect the importance that universities attach to their role in guiding this project. The proposal requests a total of $6,000,000 with $1,500,000 in each of the four fiscal years 2006-07, 07-08, 08-09, and 09-10. Ideally the funds will be made available as soon as possible in each year to allow us to maintain a smooth contracting process.