Science Case
TMT would be a general purpose observatory capable of investigating a broad range of astrophysical problems. A science case prepared by the TMT Foundation outlines the following aims for the observatory:
- Dark energy, dark matter and tests of the Standard Model of particle physics
- Characterization of the first stars and galaxies in the Universe
- Characterization of the epoch of reionization
- Galaxy assembly and evolution over the past 13 billion years
- Connections between supermassive black holes and galaxies
- Star-by-star dissection of galaxies out to 10 million parsecs
- Physics of planet and star formation
- Exoplanet discovery and characterization
- Kuiper belt object surface chemistry
- Solar system planetary atmosphere chemistry and meteorology
- The search for life on planets outside the Solar System
By design, TMT complements the scientific capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter Array.
Read more about this topic: Thirty Meter Telescope
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