4MOST Begins Mapping the Southern Sky with Unprecedented Detail
A new instrument,4MOST,is now operational,embarking on a large-scale spectroscopic survey of approximately 30 million objects across the southern sky. Developed by a consortium of 30 European and Australian universities and research institutes, led by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), 4MOST aims to create a comprehensive catalog of physical parameters for these celestial bodies. AIP will also scientifically operate the facility.
This ambitious project will provide valuable data for a wide range of astronomical research, including the study of star and planet formation, the evolution of galaxies (including our own Milky Way), and the properties of black holes and other exotic objects. A key focus of 4MOST will be contributing to our understanding of dark matter. By analyzing the statistical distribution of dark matter in the universe,researchers hope to learn more about the basic properties of dark matter particles themselves.
The university of Hamburg played a notable role in the progress of 4MOST, contributing two million euros, primarily towards the construction of one of the instrument’s three spectrographs. Professor Jochen Liske of the Hamburg Observatory, a senior scientist at the Cluster of Excellence “Quantum Universe” at the University of Hamburg, expressed excitement about the start of observations after a decade of development.
4MOST’s initial observations targeted the sculptor Galaxy and the globular cluster NGC288. The instrument’s unique hexagonal field of view captures spectra for each observed object, allowing scientists to determine characteristics like chemical composition and temperature.
The “Quantum Universe” Cluster of Excellence at the University of Hamburg is actively involved in the search for dark matter,recognizing that the observed gravitational effects in galaxies cannot be explained by visible matter alone. 4MOST’s data will be crucial in this ongoing effort to unravel one of the universe’s biggest mysteries.
Funding for the development and operation of 4MOST was provided by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the German Research Foundation (DFG)’s large-scale equipment program, and the University of Hamburg.
Institutions involved in the construction and operation of 4MOST include:
* Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)
* Macquarie University/Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO)
* Center de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon (CRAL)
* European Southern Observatory (ESO)
* Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA)
* Max Planck institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE)
* Nederlandse onderzoekschool Voor Astronomie (NOVA)
* University of Cambridge/Institute for Astronomy (IoA)
* University of Hamburg (UHH)/Hamburg Observatory
* University of Heidelberg, Center for Astronomy (ZAH)
