Two new research projects will bring new instruments to established astronomical observatories, expanding the capabilities of mid-sized telescopes and advancing studies of planet and star formation. The projects are the first to be supported under the Instrumentation for Astrophysics program, an initiative supported by The Kavli Foundation, the WoodNext Foundation, and philanthropist Kevin Wells.
The awards total $4.8 million in philanthropic support. By pairing new technology with proven observatories, the program aims to extend the scientific reach of mid-sized (2-5 meter) ground-based optical and near-infrared telescopes, deliver new scientific insights, and demonstrate technologies that could be adopted by larger, flagship observatories.
“These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to advancing fundamental research in the field of astrophysics,” says Dr. Amy Bernard, Vice President of Science at The Kavli Foundation. “By supporting creation of novel technologies for existing observatories, we hope to open new research areas and mature technologies that will benefit the entire field.”
Award 1: Astrophotonics instrument suite for Lick Observatory
A $3.7 million, four-year Kavli Exploration Award from The Kavli Foundation, in partnership with philanthropist Kevin Wells will support Dr. Pradip Gatkine (University of California, Los Angeles) and Dr. Kevin Bundy (University of California, Santa Cruz). Their teams will develop and test an astrophotonics instrument suite at Lick Observatory to study how planets form around nearby stars.
Astrophotonics adapts photonic technologies, widely used in telecommunications, to astronomical instrumentation. By directing cosmic light through fiber-optic systems, these devices can reduce instrument complexity, improve precision, and dramatically shrink the size of key components.
“The big-picture problem we’re trying to solve is how planets form,” said Gatkine. “We’re very excited to further develop astrophotonics as a potential game-changer for twenty-first century astronomical observation in this realm, along with other areas in astrophysics and cosmology.”
Astrophotonic devices offer a compact alternative to conventional instruments. As an example, spectrographs, which scientists use to splice light to learn about the distances and compositions of astrophysical objects, have had to scale in size and mass with the telescopes where they are installed. For the upcoming 30-meter-class telescopes, the spectrographs are slated to fill whole rooms.
“Some upcoming spectrographs are like the height of a giraffe, and their weight can be measured in elephants,” says Gatkine. “With astrophotonics, we can realize tremendous gains through miniaturization, boosting capabilities and cost effectiveness.”
The new instrument will be installed on the Shane 3-meter telescope at Lick Observatory. Dr. Bruce Macintosh, Director of the University of California Observatories, noted that innovations like this create new opportunities for mid-sized facilities: “Established, dependable, 2- to 5-meter telescopes have an important role to play in this modern era of astronomy. With the new Kavli-led instrumentation program, the astronomical community is strategically finding ways of maximizing the scientific return from these venerable observatories.”
“I am delighted to partner with The Kavli Foundation to support this outstanding research team, and grateful for the opportunity to be a partner in the in-depth process that resulted in this innovative project,” added Wells. “In addition to advancing the science of exoplanet formation, this project is a wonderful demonstration of the enduring power of older telescopes to be retrofitted with advanced technology, and thereby continue to advance the field of astrophysics.”
Award 2: Infrared polarimeter for McDonald Observatory
A second award—an intended $1.1 million over four years from the WoodNext Foundation—will support Dr. Daniel Jaffe (University of Texas at Austin) in constructing an infrared polarimeter for McDonald Observatory to explore stellar magnetic fields and their influence on planet formation. The instrument will measure the polarization of light from red dwarf stars, the most numerous stars in the universe.
Red dwarfs exhibit strong magnetic activity that may determine whether their planets could be habitable. By studying gestating stars and solar systems as well, the polarimeter will complement the astrophotonics instrument in getting to the root of long-standing mysteries about planet formation.
The new instrument will be several times more sensitive than current equipment, unlocking new observations of magnetic fields, structures that are known to partly dissipate the planet-forming disks that encircle most newborn stars and influence their evolution.
“The polarimeter project we’re supporting at McDonald Observatory stands to significantly move scientific understanding of small stars’ magnetic fields forward and bring new observational capabilities to the fore,” said Nancy Chan, Executive Director of the WoodNext Foundation. “We’re proud to join in this partnership spearheaded by The Kavli Foundation.”
Program perspective
Guided by input from leading scientists and enhanced by participation from partner funders, Kavli’s Instrumentation for Astrophysics program reflects its targeted approach to advancing science by investing where innovation can have a broad, lasting impact.
“These projects demonstrate the power of philanthropic partnerships to accelerate progress toward shared scientific goals,” said Dr. Cynthia Friend, President and CEO of The Kavli Foundation. “Through this collaborative approach, we can develop tools and technologies that expand what’s possible in astrophysics—and across science broadly.”
About The Kavli Foundation: The Kavli Foundation was established in 2000 by Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American entrepreneur, to stimulate fundamental research in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience and theoretical physics and to honor scientific discoveries with The Kavli Prize. Further information at: www.kavlifoundation.org
About the WoodNext Foundation: The WoodNext Foundation manages the philanthropy of tech innovator and Roku CEO/Founder Anthony Wood and his wife Susan. Their philanthropic efforts are guided by their overall mission to advance human progress and remove obstacles to a fulfilling life. The WoodNext Foundation makes grants and investments in a variety of areas, including scientific and biomedical research, mental health, homelessness, education, nature conservation, disaster recovery, and economic opportunity, with a focus on addressing root causes. For more information, visit www.woodnext.org.
Kevin Wells: Kevin Wells is a committed environmental leader and science philanthropist. His recent science philanthropy is focused on providing seed funding to incubate new directions in scientific research and includes research projects in fundamental physics, quantum science and condensed matter physics. Wells also serves as executive chair of Environment Now, an activist foundation focused on safeguarding California’s natural environment.