Scientific Research
Astronomers use the WHT to conduct scientific research across most branches of observational astronomy, including solar system science, galactic astronomy, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Most of the instruments are designed to be useful for a range of different research.
The WHT has been used to make many significant new discoveries. Some of the more notable include the first evidence of a supermassive black hole (Sgr A*) at the centre of the Milky Way (in 1995) and the first optical observation of a gamma-ray burst (GRB 970228) (in 1997).
Since the mid-1990s the WHT has faced increasing competition from newer 8-to-10 m (310-to-390 in) telescopes. Nevertheless, a wide range of research continues to be done with the telescope. In recent years (as of 2010) this has included:
- The SAURON project, an integral field spectrograph survey of nearby elliptical and lenticular galaxies (2001–2010)
- The first spectrum of an asteroid which subsequently hit the Earth, 2008 TC3 (2009)
- The first spectrum of Hanny's Voorwerp (2009)
- The discovery that diffuse interstellar bands do not originate in circumstellar envelopes (2008)
- Confirmation that WASP-3b is an extrasolar planet (2008)
- High-resolution spectra of the first known double supernova, SN 2006jc (2007)
Read more about this topic: William Herschel Telescope
Famous quotes containing the words scientific and/or research:
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The research on gender and morality shows that women and men looked at the world through very different moral frameworks. Men tend to think in terms of “justice” or absolute “right and wrong,” while women define morality through the filter of how relationships will be affected. Given these basic differences, why would men and women suddenly agree about disciplining children?”
—Ron Taffel (20th century)