Retired Instruments
The following instruments are no longer available for science use. Their web pages will be available indefinitely, to support data processing and analysis of distributed and archived data, but may not be updated.
Capability
Spectroscopy
MAROON-X is high-resolution (R~85,000), optical (500-920nm), fiber-fed echelle spectrograph.
Slit Format
The spectrograph simultaneously records the spectra of the star, the sky background, and light from a calibration source. The stellar light is sliced three times by a pupil slicer (for details see Components page) and fed into three rectangular fibers. The sky background light is reimaged onto a forth rectangular fiber. Light from a calibration source is injected into a fifth rectangular fiber. These five fibers form the entrance slit of MAROON-X (see image below).
Throughput
MAROON-X receives its light from a 100um octagonal fiber, fed at f/3.3. The FOV is thus 0.77” on sky. This is at the order of the IQ75-percentile seeing (0.75”) and makes the throughput of the instrument highly dependent on the seeing conditions. During the commissioning run in December 2019, we encountered different atmospheric conditions with seeing ranging from 0.7” but very unstable (MASS seeing >1”) to better than average (<0.5”) and stable.
Instrumental Radial Velocity Precision
MAROON-X follows the instrument concept of high opto-mechanical and illumination stability pioneered by the HARPS instrument. This approach has now been adopted for all recent and future RV spectrographs. However, even the latest generation of highly stabilized spectrographs exhibit drifts exceeding m/s levels on timescales from hours to months due to various practical limitations in the instrumental design and in the environmental control of these instruments.
Acquisition and Guiding
MAROON-X has a frontend unit that converts the f/16 beam from the telescope to an f/3.3 beam to feed the 100um (0.77") octagonal science fiber. Primary (i.e. telescope guiding) is using the PWFS2 of Gemini. The frontend unit is mounted on the bottom port of the ISS, a port shared with NIFS and NIRI.
Data Reduction
Raw data
PIs will receive raw data and reduced data in FITS format. Raw data will be made available shortly after the observations through the Gemini Observatory Archive, while reduced data will be delivered within 4 weeks after the observation by the instrument team. Raw frames will be multi-extension FITS (MEF) files containing both the blue and red 2D frame. The header will have the standard parameters as well as a snapshot of the instrument telemetry database.
Observation Preparation
This section describes how to prepare and check MAROON-X observations.
SCORPIO
Latest News
August 2024
- Cryostat cooling and verification of subsystems proceeding at the prime contractors site. Detector assembly to commence after cryostat system delivered to the OMT integration site, expected by end of year.
April 2023
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Assembly, Integration and Verification phase tooling and mirror repolishing taking place. Subcontractors completed heat/cold stress cycling of the cold bench to relieve any machined-in stresses and remove any out-of-tolerance dimensions.
The SCORPIO story
In 2015 based on the Gemini Instrumentation Feasibility Studies, Gemini assembled an independent Gen 4#3 Steering Committee to help guide the Observatory with the Gen 4#3 project. The committee produced a Science Assessment Report and Technical & Cost Assessment Report.
What is SCORPIO?
SCORPIO is an 8-channel imager and spectrograph that will simultaneously observe the g, r, i, z, Y, J, H, and KS bands in a square field-of-view of 3'x3', or a circular one with a diameter of 4.24'. It will obtain long slit (3' long) spectroscopy with a resolution of R ~ 4,000, simultaneously covering the range between 0.37-2.35 microns.
The Teams
The SCORPIO Team
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Massimo Robberto, StSCI, Principal Investigator
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Alexander van der Horst, GWU, Project Scientist
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Cynthia Froning, SwRI, Project Manager
The Gemini Team
- Laura Funk, Project Manager
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Brian Chinn, System Engineer
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Tom Hayward, Technical Lead
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Ruben Diaz, Instrument Scientist
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Rodolfo Angeloni, Project Scientist
Opportunity: 2017 Request for Proposals for Instrument Upgrade Projects
RFP Document Set:
IUP 2017 Proposers ConferencePreviously Awarded UpdatesUIP projects2015-2017 IUP ProjectDuring the 2015 program cycle, Gemini awarded Professor Casey Papovich from Texas A&M University (USA) for the proposal “Two K-filters for F–2 (K2F2).” Professor Papovich and his team proposed a small upgrade to F-2 by providing two medium band filters, which split the spectral, range 1.9-2.5 microns. The team also includes astronomers from the University of Toronto (Canada), Swinburne University of Technology and Macquarie University (Australia), and Leiden University (Netherlands). Small ProjectWe provide here a few examples of possible projects for our Instrument Upgrades Small Projects Program. These projects are just meant to illustrate a large range of scope possible for these projects. Although you are welcome to propose for one of these example projects, we encourage you to use your own experiences and propose projects that you find particularly interesting and relevant for your scientific objectives. Visiting Instrument Telescope Interfaces and SpecificationsThis page describes key specifications and guidance for visiting instruments (VI) including interfaces for ISS-mounted instruments, considerations for bench-mounted instruments, software interfaces, system services available, the Gemini operating environments and VI operations. Links to relevant drawings and interface control documents (ICDs) are included within the text. ISS-Mounted Visiting InstrumentsVI to be mounted on the Telescope Instrument Support Structure (ISS) must adhere to the following requirements and guidelines. See DSSI and TEXES for examples of ISS-mounted VI. Bench-Mounted Visiting InstrumentsAdvanced planning is required to accommodate bench instruments. Specifications for VI size and other environmental and operating conditions should be provided. See GRACES for one example of a fiber-fed bench-mounted VI. Software InterfacesVI can be entirely self-contained if they do not need to control the telescope movements (e.g. do not need to nod or offset). If interaction with the telescope is required, the VI should use the VI Interface document and associated Wiki page form the Gemini Software Group (SWG) to facilitate integration. System ServicesGemini provides the following services to ISS-mounted VI via the ISS Services Panel. For bench-mounted VI, Gemini may provide the same or subset of Systems Services to another location on a case-by-case basis. Ideally VI will have a patch panel to facilitate hook up to the service panel, and the VI should come with equipment used in typical setup including interconnecting hoses, cables, etc. Gemini will provide alternate equipment as needed to support the Gemini lab and telescope setups. Gemini Operating EnvironmentsVIs should be capable of operating in the following conditions. The instrument operating environment are those conditions experienced under normal telescope operations when the module is mounted on the ISS and in use. Complete information is provided in ICD 1.9/5.0. VI OperationsVisitors should review general instructions and information on the Gemini Science Visitors page. Instrument Configuration and MaintenanceIn advance of their visit, VI teams must provide a description of anticipated activities for VI configuration and maintenance including daily and recurring ones. Coordination for Gemini engineer support and with other telescope maintenance activities must be done in advance. Instrument Upgrade ProgramGemini Observatory is committed to upgrading its existing operational instruments to keep them scientifically competitive and to create new instrument capabilities at the observatory. As part of this effort, Gemini annually seeks community-created science-driven proposals to improve our current instruments through our Instrument Upgrade Program (IUP). Teams seeking collaborationGemini encourages collaborations and will provide a forum for those seeking additional partners to complete a team for this work. Groups interested in Instrument Upgrades who may lack the expertise needed to complete the work should submit a notice of intent and use this forum to find additional partners for the work. FAQQ1: How will I get updates about the Request for Proposals? A1: Gemini will post any updates at the top of the RfP webpage. If you are interested in receiving updates and news about the RfP, please provide your contact information including email address to Natalia McCarthy (RFPIUP@gemini.edu). Visiting Instrument ProgramThe following policy was developed in discussion with the Gemini Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STAC) and Gemini Board of Directors; it describes the principles on which a visiting instrument may be accommodated and used, and describes the process by which the PI of an instrument team may seek access for their instrument. Program DescriptionHow to ApplyFor an instrument which may be expected to require a small amount of effort or money, the following process should be followed: You can also look at the Visiting Instrument Telescope Interfaces. Visiting Instruments and Large/Long ProgramsIt is acceptable, and even encouraged, for the PI of a visiting instrument to propose to use it for a Large or Long Program. Consistent with the principles above, the instrument would first need to be confirmed as supportable by the Observatory, and in most cases, have gained time via the normal TAC process for an exploratory initial run. If the initial run is successful, a proposal would be made to the LLP TAC. Currently visiting InstrumentsGemini North: |