"Astronomical Instrumentation Development at Canada’s NRC Herzberg"
ESO Lunch Talk
- Date: Feb 10, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM (Local Time Germany)
- Speaker: Alan W. McConnachie (Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics)
- Location: ESO
- Room: Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching)
Abstract:
I will present an overview of the instrumentation development program and strategic R&D interests of the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Center, part of the National Research Council of Canada. Active major facility class instrumentation development includes real time control systems for the ELT's ANDES and MORFEO instruments, next generation correlators for ALMA and the SKA mid telescopes, opto-mechanical systems for the Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) and the second generation of the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI2), as well as low noise amplifiers for SKA mid and CCAT. I discuss the related R&D program and technology development roadmaps, including but not limited to adaptive optics, high contrast imaging and detectors. Finally, I discuss the evolving Canadian astronomical landscape and highlight future opportunities.
I will present an overview of the instrumentation development program and strategic R&D interests of the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Center, part of the National Research Council of Canada. Active major facility class instrumentation development includes real time control systems for the ELT's ANDES and MORFEO instruments, next generation correlators for ALMA and the SKA mid telescopes, opto-mechanical systems for the Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) and the second generation of the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI2), as well as low noise amplifiers for SKA mid and CCAT. I discuss the related R&D program and technology development roadmaps, including but not limited to adaptive optics, high contrast imaging and detectors. Finally, I discuss the evolving Canadian astronomical landscape and highlight future opportunities.