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A complex multi-notch astronomical filter to suppress the bright infrared sky

Author

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  • J. Bland-Hawthorn

    (Sydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney
    Institute of Photonics and Optical Science, School of Physics, University of Sydney)

  • S.C. Ellis

    (Sydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney
    Australian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, New South Wales 2121, Australia.)

  • S.G. Leon-Saval

    (Sydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney
    Institute of Photonics and Optical Science, School of Physics, University of Sydney)

  • R. Haynes

    (Australian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, New South Wales 2121, Australia.
    InnoFSPEC, Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik, An der Sternwarte 16, D-14482 Potsdam, Germany.)

  • M.M. Roth

    (InnoFSPEC, Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik, An der Sternwarte 16, D-14482 Potsdam, Germany.)

  • H.-G. Löhmannsröben

    (Institut für Chemie/Physikalische Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, D-14476 Golm, Germany.)

  • A.J. Horton

    (Australian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, New South Wales 2121, Australia.)

  • J.-G. Cuby

    (Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille)

  • T.A. Birks

    (University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.)

  • J.S. Lawrence

    (Australian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, New South Wales 2121, Australia.
    Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics Research Centre, Macquarie University)

  • P. Gillingham

    (Australian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, New South Wales 2121, Australia.)

  • S.D. Ryder

    (Australian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, New South Wales 2121, Australia.)

  • C. Trinh

    (Sydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney)

Abstract

A long-standing and profound problem in astronomy is the difficulty in obtaining deep near-infrared observations due to the extreme brightness and variability of the night sky at these wavelengths. A solution to this problem is crucial if we are to obtain the deepest possible observations of the early Universe, as redshifted starlight from distant galaxies appears at these wavelengths. The atmospheric emission between 1,000 and 1,800 nm arises almost entirely from a forest of extremely bright, very narrow hydroxyl emission lines that varies on timescales of minutes. The astronomical community has long envisaged the prospect of selectively removing these lines, while retaining high throughput between them. Here we demonstrate such a filter for the first time, presenting results from the first on-sky tests. Its use on current 8 m telescopes and future 30 m telescopes will open up many new research avenues in the years to come.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Bland-Hawthorn & S.C. Ellis & S.G. Leon-Saval & R. Haynes & M.M. Roth & H.-G. Löhmannsröben & A.J. Horton & J.-G. Cuby & T.A. Birks & J.S. Lawrence & P. Gillingham & S.D. Ryder & C. Trinh, 2011. "A complex multi-notch astronomical filter to suppress the bright infrared sky," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1584
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1584
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