Wine &
Cheese
Discussion
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
1 1
Ramón J. García López
Question 1
 What should be the role of the 8-10m
telescopes in the era of the ELTs and the
JWST?
– Do they have to nurture the ELTs and the
JWST?
– Do they have to collect as many findings
as possible?
– Do they have to try to benefit from the ELTs
and the JWST?
– All three?
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
2 2
Question 2
 Will all 8-10m telescopes play the same role
in the era of the ELTs and the JWST?
– Probably it will depend on
 The telescope concept
– The LSST may be better suited for the nurturing
approach, others have already collected a
remarkable number of findings, GTC has still to find
its way…
 The time the telescope has been operating
– Some telescope communities may still be developing
their own projects (i.e., GTC)
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
3 3
Question 3
 Shall the 8-10m telescope communities develop joint
scientific projects?
– Dedicating a fraction of observing time in more than one
telescope to a given project, either ELT or JWST orientated,
or not
– Having meetings (on a regular basis?) to discuss such
projects
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
4 4
Question 3
 Shall the 8-10m telescope communities develop joint
scientific projects?
– Dedicating a fraction of observing time in more than one
telescope to a given project, either ELT or JWST orientated,
or not
– Having meetings (on a regular basis?) to discuss such
projects
 In particular, should there be an instrumentation
collaboration policy?
– Shall the telescopes develop common instrumentation
projects?
– Shall this matter be discussed within the “8-10 m telescopes
collaboration forum”?
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
5 5
Question 4
 Do we have all we need to efficiently use our
telescopes?
– People
 Students from today will be young, motivated
professionals when the ELTs operate
– If the few big telescopes and top science projects are done more
and more in service mode, how are we going to ensure the
training of our young observers?
– Project Funding
 Can the funding of 8-10m telescopes operation and
instrumentation plans be affected by ELTs and JWST?
 Large coordination needed?
– Instrumentation
 New technology developments needed (experiments?)
on 8-10m telescopes
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
6 6
Question 5
 Who is driving the construction of the ELTs,
astronomers or engineers?
 How many ELTs can be expected to be built?
 Are we envisioning the end of the large
telescope business? i.e., will there be still
larger telescopes built or these will the be
latest due to funding or to technology?
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
7 7
Question 6
 What should be the strategy to start preparing the
ELT science with 8-10 m telescopes?
– From the very beginning, i.e., right now
 Accept (and encourage) projects aimed at ELTs science
– Once the ELTs have a reliable date for operation
 Until then, do not accept (or encourage) projects aimed
at ELTs science
– When the ELTs and the JWST are close to
operation
 Then, give priority to ELT/JWST related projects
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
8 8
Thanks and enjoy the dinner…
Ramón J. García López
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
9 9