Science instrument development for the Giant Magellan Telescope

Abstract

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is a 24.5m diameter optical/infrared telescope. Its seven 8.4m primary mirrors give it a collecting area equivalent to a 21.4m filled aperture. The ten GMT partners are constructing the telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile with first light planned for the end of 2018. In this paper, we describe the plans for the first-generation focal plane instrumentation for the telescope. The GMTO Corporation has solicited studies for instruments capable of carrying out the broad range of objectives outlined in the GMT Science Case. Six instruments have been selected for 14 month long conceptual design studies. We briefly describe the features of these instruments and give examples of the major science questions that they can address.