NOAO is currently designing a new optical spectrograph for the Mayall 4-m Telescope based upon new technologies in gratings and optics. The conceptual optical design effort and further science definition will take place for the remainder of FY1999.
Through internal discussions, the following science goals have been formulated:
1) Wide field of view (diameter of 20' to 40').
2) Multi-slit mask mode of operation.
3) 0.25" to 0.3" sampling on detector.
4) Resolving powers of up to 5000 and possibly as high as 30000.
5) Instrument to work within the window from 370 nm to 1.7 µm with optical and IR detector packages.
6) Peak efficiency for telescope, spectrograph, gratings, and detector of > 40%.
Based upon suggestions from the User's Committee, we will also explore the possibility of an insertable micro-lens array for integral field spectroscopy over the full field of view.
To better refine these goals and to set priorities for the inevitable scientific tradeoffs during the final design effort, we are soliciting scientific input from the astronomical community. What requirements would you place on a wide-field, optical spectrograph for your science?
Please feel free to forward your thoughts to the undersigned. We are also going to explore the possibility of holding a mini-workshop later this year to help address this issue.
Sam Barden, Taft Armandroff