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cover of episode The Giant Magellan Telescope takes its next big step

The Giant Magellan Telescope takes its next big step

2025/6/25
logo of podcast Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
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Rebecca Bernstein
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Sarah Al-Ahmed
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Rebecca Bernstein: 作为巨型麦哲伦望远镜的首席科学家，我认为它在系外行星研究中具有独特的作用。30年前，我们对太阳系以外的行星知之甚少，但现在我们已经对这些行星系统有了惊人的了解。然而，如果我们想真正了解像我们自己的太阳系这样的行星是如何形成的，我们需要能够更详细地研究单个行星，而这需要更好的工具。关键在于望远镜的分辨率，因为行星非常微弱，而且它们靠近非常明亮的天体，我们需要将它们分开。光谱可以让我们测量系统的动力学，告诉我们质量和化学成分，特别是大气成分，这可以揭示行星是否可能存在生命迹象。巨型麦哲伦望远镜具有独特的设计属性和能力，例如高分辨率光谱仪和极端自适应光学成像仪GMagAOX，这将使我们能够观测到寒冷、微弱的行星，并获取它们的光谱，这是JWST目前无法做到的。通过研究行星大气层的成分，我们可以了解它们是否具备生命存在的潜力，甚至可以找到其他行星上存在生命的证据。 Sarah Al-Ahmed: 我认为巨型麦哲伦望远镜在系外行星研究中具有重要意义。JWST可以通过观察恒星的光穿过大气层来研究行星大气的光谱，而GMT则试图直接观察恒星从这些行星上反射的光。这种方法可以让我们更直接地了解行星的表面和大气层，从而更好地了解行星的组成和环境。结合GMT和其他望远镜的能力，我们可以学到很多关于宇宙历史和宇宙学演化的知识。

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The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) will significantly improve our ability to study exoplanets, particularly in resolving planets from their parent stars and obtaining spectra of cooler, potentially habitable planets. Its unique design and instruments will allow for observations at optical wavelengths, enabling the study of reflected light and the detection of molecules indicating the presence of life.
  • GMT's high-resolution spectrographs will study planets in detail
  • GMagAOX instrument will provide unique images of cool, faint planets
  • GMT will access cooler, older planets around solar-type stars which are crucial for understanding planet formation and habitability

Shownotes Transcript

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is poised to become one of the most powerful ground-based observatories ever built. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced that the GMT will enter its Major Facilities Final Design Phase, bringing it one step closer to full construction. This week on Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed speaks with Rebecca Bernstein, Chief Scientist for the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization and astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science, about the groundbreaking technology behind GMT and how it will transform our understanding of the Cosmos.

Later in the show, Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society, returns to discuss his new op-ed in Space News on the White House’s controversial Mars plan, and why a bold vision without political consensus is unlikely to succeed.

As always, we wrap up with What’s Up with Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-gmt)

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