Transformative Planetary Science with the US ELT Program

TL;DR

The US ELT Program aims to secure significant access to world-class telescopes to advance solar system science through high-resolution observations, supporting planetary research and missions.

Contribution

This paper advocates for establishing the US ELT Program as critical infrastructure, emphasizing its role in advancing planetary science and increasing community participation.

Findings

ELTs will enable high-resolution solar system observations.

The program will support planetary missions and research.

It is recommended as critical infrastructure for planetary science.

Abstract

The proposed US Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) Program would secure national open access to at least 25% of the observing time on the Thirty Meter Telescope in the north and the Giant Magellan Telescope in the south. ELTs would advance solar system science via exceptional angular resolution, sensitivity, and advanced instrumentation. ELT contributions would include the study of interstellar objects, giant planet systems and ocean worlds, the formation of the solar system traced through small objects in the asteroid and Kuiper belts, and the active support of planetary missions. We recommend that (1) the US ELT Program be listed as critical infrastructure for solar system science, that (2) some support from NASA be provided to ensure mission support capabilities, and that (3) the US ELT Program expand solar-system community participation in development, planning, and operations.