The discovery space of ELT-ANDES. Stars and stellar populations

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of the ELT-ANDES spectrograph to revolutionize stellar astrophysics by enabling detailed studies of stars, stellar populations, and their evolution through high-resolution spectroscopy across a broad wavelength range.

Contribution

It presents new science cases, calculations, and simulations demonstrating how ANDES can advance understanding of stellar atmospheres, structures, evolution, and star-planet interactions.

Findings

Supports major advances in stellar physics and populations

Enables detailed studies of stars in the Milky Way and beyond

Addresses transformative questions in stellar astrophysics

Abstract

The ArmazoNes high Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph (ANDES) is the optical and near-infrared high-resolution echelle spectrograph envisioned for the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). We present a selection of science cases, supported by new calculations and simulations, where ANDES could enable major advances in the fields of stars and stellar populations. We focus on three key areas, including the physics of stellar atmospheres, structure, and evolution; stars of the Milky Way, Local Group, and beyond; and the star-planet connection. The key features of ANDES are its wide wavelength coverage at high spectral resolution and its access to the large collecting area of the ELT. These features position ANDES to address the most compelling and potentially transformative science questions in stellar astrophysics of the decades ahead, including questions which cannot be anticipated today.