The Wide-field High-resolution Infrared TElescope (WHITE)

TL;DR

WHITE is a high-resolution infrared telescope designed for focused legacy surveys, aiming to study galaxy evolution, star formation, and dark energy through wide-field imaging and time-variable observations.

Contribution

WHITE introduces a dedicated ground-based infrared telescope with high angular resolution and wide field, optimized for specific large-scale surveys in the 1-5 um range.

Findings

High angular resolution (~0.3'') over 0.7 sq. deg.

Deep observations through frame stacking.

Temporal data for variable object studies.

Abstract

The Wide-field High-resolution Infrared TElescope (WHITE) will be dedicated in the first years of its life to carrying out a few (well focused in terms of science objectives and time) legacy surveys. WHITE would have an angular resolution of ~0.3'' homogeneous over ~0.7 sq. deg. in the wavelength range 1 - 5 um, which means that we will very efficiently use all the available observational time during night time and day time. Moreover, the deepest observations will be performed by summing up shorter individual frames. We will have a temporal information that can be used to study variable objects. The three key science objectives of WHITE are : 1) A complete survey of the Magellanic Clouds to make a complete census of young stellar objects in the clouds and in the bridge and to study their star formation history and the link with the Milky Way. The interaction of the two clouds with our Galaxy might the closest example of a minor merging event that could be the main driver of galaxy evolution in the last 5 Gyrs. 2) The building of the first sample of dusty supernovae at z<1.2 in the near infrared range (1-5 um) to constrain the equation of state from these obscured objects, study the formation of dust in galaxies and build the first high resolution sample of high redshift galaxies observed in their optical frame 3) A very wide weak lensing survey over that would allow to estimate the equation of state in a way that would favourably compete with space projects.