Concepts for a high resolution multi-object spectrograph for galactic archeology on the Anglo-Australian Telescope

Samuel C. Barden, Joss Bland-Hawthorn, Vladimir Churilov, Simon Ellis, Tony Farrell, Ken C. Freeman, Roger Haynes, Anthony Horton, Damien J. Jones, Greg Knight, Stan Miziarski, William Rambold, Greg Smith, Lew Waller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mapping out stellar families to trace the evolutionary star formation history of the Milky Way requires a spectroscopic facility able to deliver high spectral resolution (R 30k) with both good wavelength coverage (~400 Ang) and target multiplex advantage (~400 per 2 degree field). Such a facility can survey 1,200,000 bright stars over 10,000 square degrees in about 400 nights with a 4-meter aperture telescope. Presented are the results of a conceptual design study for such a spectrograph, which is under development as the next major instrument for the Anglo-Australian Observatory. The current design (that builds upon the AAOmega system) makes use of a White Pupil collimator and an R3 echelle that is matched to the existing AAOmega cameras. The fibre slit can be reconfigured to illuminate the Pupil relay side of the collimator mirror bypassing the echelle, thus preserving the lower dispersion modes of the AAOmega spectrograph. Other spectrograph options initially considered include use of an anamorphic collimator that reduces the required dispersion to that achievable with VPH grating technology or possible use of a double-pass VPH grating.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II
EditorsIan S. McLean, Mark M. Casali
PublisherSPIE
Pages1-12
Number of pages12
Volume7014
ISBN (Electronic)9780819472243
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2008
Externally publishedYes
EventGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II - Marseille, France
Duration: 23 Jun 200828 Jun 2008

Conference

ConferenceGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityMarseille
Period23/06/0828/06/08

Keywords

  • Echelle
  • High resolution
  • Multi-object
  • Spectrograph
  • White pupil

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