Hector: A high-multiplex survey instrument for spatially-resolved galaxy spectroscopy

Jon Lawrence*, Joss Bland-Hawthorn, Julia Bryant, Jurek Brzeski, Matthew Colless, Scott Croom, Luke Gers, James Gilbert, Peter Gillingham, Michael Goodwin, Jeroen Heijmans, Anthony Horton, Mike Ireland, Stan Miziarski, Will Saunders, Greg Smith

*Corresponding author for this work

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

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    First light from the SAMI (Sydney-AAO Multi-object IFS) instrument at the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) has recently proven the viability of fibre hexabundles for multi-IFU spectroscopy. SAMI, which comprises 13 hexabundle IFUs deployable over a 1 degree field-of-view, has recently begun science observations, and will target a survey of several thousand galaxies. The scientific outputs from such galaxy surveys are strongly linked to survey size, leading the push towards instruments with higher multiplex capability. We have begun work on a new instrument concept, called Hector, which will target a spatially-resolved spectroscopic survey of up to one hundred thousand galaxies. The key science questions for this instrument concept include how do galaxies get their gas, how is star formation and nuclear activity affected by environment, what is the role of feedback, and what processes can be linked to galaxy groups and clusters. One design option for Hector uses the existing 2 degree field-of view top end at the AAT, with 50 individual robotically deployable 61-core hexabundle IFUs, and 3 fixed format spectrographs covering the visible wavelength range with a spectral resolution of approximately 4000. A more ambitious option incorporates a modified top end at the AAT with a new 3 degree field-of-view wide-field-corrector and 100 hexabundle IFUs feeding 6 spectrographs.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationGround-Based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV
    Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of SPIE Vol. 8446
    EditorsIan S. McLean, Suzanne K. Ramsay, Hideki Takami
    Place of PublicationBellingham, Washington
    PublisherSPIE
    Pages1-11
    Number of pages11
    Volume8446
    ISBN (Print)9780819491473
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventGround-Based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV - Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Duration: 1 Jul 20126 Jul 2012

    Other

    OtherGround-Based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV
    Country/TerritoryNetherlands
    CityAmsterdam
    Period1/07/126/07/12

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