Prospects of Deep Field Surveys with Global-MCAO on an ELT

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of Global-MCAO adaptive optics on extremely large telescopes for conducting detailed extragalactic surveys, demonstrating its advantages over traditional methods and its applicability to various deep fields.

Contribution

It introduces the use of Global-MCAO with natural guide stars for efficient high-resolution surveys of high-redshift galaxies on ELTs, expanding the scope of ground-based extragalactic research.

Findings

Simulated successful photometric surveys of high-redshift galaxies using Global-MCAO.

Preliminary estimations of field of view and guide star distribution for planned telescopes.

Analysis of survey suitability and AO performance in different deep fields.

Abstract

Several astronomical surveys aimed at the investigation of the extragalactic components were carried out in order to map systematically the universe and its constituents. An excellent level of detail is needed, and it is possible only using space telescopes or with the application of adaptive optics (AO) techniques for ground-based observatories. By simulating K-band observations of 6000 high-redshift galaxies in the Chandra Deep Field South region, we have already shown how an extremely large telescope can carry out photometric surveys successfully using the Global-MCAO, a natural guide stars based technique that allows the development of extragalactic research, otherwise impracticable without using laser guide stars. As the outcome of the analysis represents an impact science case for the new instruments on upcoming ground-based telescopes, here we show how the investigation of other observed deep fields could profit from such a technique. Further to an overview of the surveys suitable for the proposed approach, we show preliminary estimations both on geometrical (FoV and height) and purely AO perspectives (richness and homogeneity of guide stars in the area) for planned giant telescope.