Science Opportunities with the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer QM design

In this presentation, we will show how the updated telescope design significantly enhances the science possible with the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE), a massively multiplexed spectroscopic survey facility that will replace the Canada-France-Hawaii-Telescope in the coming decade. The improved fiber density and thereby survey speed is possible by using a new quad mirror (QM) 12-meter telescope design with a 1.5 square degree field-of-view and able to observe simultaneously 18,000 - 20,000 targets. By utilizing MSE’s both low/moderate resolution (360 nm through H-band at R=3,000/7,000) and high resolution (360-1000nm at R=30,000), new discoveries will be possible in nearly every field of astrophysics across all spatial scales, from individual stars to the largest scale structures in the Universe, including (i) the ultimate Gaia follow-up facility for understanding the chemistry and dynamics of the Milky Way and Local Group at high spectral resolution, (ii) galaxy formation and evolution at cosmic noon, (iii) derivation of the mass of the neutrino and insights into inflationary physics through a cosmological redshift survey that probes a large volume of the Universe with a high galaxy density. The instrument suite, dedicated to large scale surveys, will enable MSE to collect a massive amount of data: equivalent to a full SDSS Legacy Survey every several weeks.