Near-field cosmology with the VLT

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of a wide-field CCD camera on the VLT to address key issues in near-field cosmology, especially in the context of upcoming large survey telescopes.

Contribution

It evaluates the scientific benefits of a ~1 degree FOV CCD camera on the VLT for advancing near-field cosmology research.

Findings

Potential to resolve fundamental problems in near-field cosmology.

Enhances the VLT's capabilities alongside upcoming survey telescopes.

Supports future large-scale astronomical surveys.

Abstract

With the arrival of wide-field imagers on medium-size telescopes (e.g. SkyMapper, Pan-STARRS) and the future co-existence of LSST with the E-ELT, it is worthwhile to evaluate the scientific potential of a CCD camera with ~1 degree FOV for the VLT. Here we discuss the role that such an instrument could play in resolving persisting fundamental problems in "near-field cosmology".