The InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) for TMT: latest science cases and simulations

TL;DR

The paper discusses the latest science cases and simulations for the IRIS instrument on TMT, focusing on its design, capabilities, and potential scientific applications in astronomy.

Contribution

It introduces new science cases for IRIS using advanced simulations, highlighting its potential for diverse astronomical observations.

Findings

New science cases for IRIS in Solar System, Galactic center, AGN, and distant galaxies.

Simulation results demonstrate IRIS's capabilities in various astrophysical contexts.

Emphasis on the importance of data management and reduction pipelines.

Abstract

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) first light instrument IRIS (Infrared Imaging Spectrograph) will complete its preliminary design phase in 2016. The IRIS instrument design includes a near-infrared (0.85 - 2.4 micron) integral field spectrograph (IFS) and imager that are able to conduct simultaneous diffraction-limited observations behind the advanced adaptive optics system NFIRAOS. The IRIS science cases have continued to be developed and new science studies have been investigated to aid in technical performance and design requirements. In this development phase, the IRIS science team has paid particular attention to the selection of filters, gratings, sensitivities of the entire system, and science cases that will benefit from the parallel mode of the IFS and imaging camera. We present new science cases for IRIS using the latest end-to-end data simulator on the following topics: Solar System bodies, the Galactic center, active galactic nuclei (AGN), and distant gravitationally-lensed galaxies. We then briefly discuss the necessity of an advanced data management system and data reduction pipeline.