From VLT to ELT

In this presentation I will discuss three topics: 1) recent results obtained with KMOS on the physics and dynamics of high galaxies, 2) the current status of  the MOONS instrument and  3) the new Extremely Large Telescope.

First I will discuss the latest results we have obtained from a Large Programme with KMOS called KLEVER. The programme is designed to observe and spatially resolve a sample of ~100 galaxies at 1<z<2.5 with full near-IR wavelength coverage (YJ,H,K) delivering the (nearly) full set of rest-frame optical nebular lines and therefore an extraordinary diagnostic power.

I will then present a scientific and technical overview of the MOONS instrument, a new multi-object spectrograph for the Very Large Telescope.

The combination of high multiplex (1000 targets) and wide simultaneous wavelength coverage (0.64 - 1.8 microns) of MOONS will provide the astronomical community with a powerful, world-leading instrument able to serve a wide range of Galactic and Extragalactic studies.

Finally I will highlight the key science drivers of the new ESO's flagship facility: the Extremely Large Telescope. The  ESO ELT is now under construction and with its 39-metre primary mirror it will be the largest optical/near-IR telescope in the world. I will present an overview of the ELT Programme, focusing on the latest status of the telescope, its instrumentation and the scientific synergies.

Speaker: Michele Cirasuolo, European Southern Observatory