METIS

The Mid-Infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph

In Greek mythology, Metis was the spouse of Zeus and mother of Athena, goddess of wisdom. METIS is also the planned mid-infrared imager and spectrograph for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), Europe’s next-generation ground-based telescope for optical and infrared (IR) wavelengths. Covering the L, M and N bands, METIS will offer imaging, coronagraphy and medium-resolution spectroscopy over the full wavelength range (3-13 microns), and high-resolution integral field spectroscopy in L and M bands (3-5 microns).

The project is in the middle of the manufacturing and integration phase, with large parts now being integrated and tested in the NOVA System Integration facility in Leiden, The Netherlands. METIS is planned to go to the telescope end 2029.

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ELT

Extremely Large Telescope

METIS is one of the three first instruments for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), and the only instrument to cover wavelengths beyond 3 microns. The phase-A conceptual study, which ran from May 2008 to December 2009 and led to the unique instrument concept, has been followed by a series of technology development projects. The Agreement for the design and construction of METIS with ESO was signed on 28 September 2015. METIS conducted its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in May 2019, its Final Design Review (FDR) in November 2022 (system review) and November 2023 (science pipeline).

  • ELT METIS 2024-shot4
  • At a ceremony in Garching bei München, Germany on 25 May 2016, ESO signed the contract with the ACe Consortium, consisting of Astaldi, Cimolai and the nominated sub-contractor EIE Group for the dome and telescope structure of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). This is the largest contract ever awarded by ESO and the largest ever contract in ground-based astronomy. At this occasion the construction design of the E-ELT was unveiled. This artist’s rendering of the E-ELT is based on the detailed construction design for the telescope.
  • ELT METIS 2024-shot1
  • frontpage_26-06-23 14-02-02 0640 crop
  • Bildschirmfoto 2022-03-02 um 19.25.58
  • Metis-Kryostat-FDR-20oct22 (1)
  • PDR MS with Instruments_1

The METIS team

METIS is a collaboration of nine European astronomy organisations, each represented by one co-Investigator. The consortium currently consists of 158 members.

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Design Concept

The instrument consists of two separate units, one for the imager and another for the spectrograph. It is – together with the AO wavefront sensor and the fore-optics – entirely encased in a cryostat to maintain the stable low temperatures required for good performance at mid-infrared wavelengths.

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Science

Investigating the physical structure and evolution of protoplanetary disks as well as the chemical composition of planet-forming material.

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Image credits for this page:

First section: NOVA System Integration facility in Leiden, photo by Felix Bettonvil.

Second section: Artist’s impression of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system by ESO/N. Bartmann/spaceengine.org

Second section: ESO signs largest ever ground-based astronomy contract for E-ELT dome and telescope structure by ESO/L. Calçada/ACe Consortium