FIRE: Development of an Innovative Infrared Spectrometer for the Magellan Telescopes

FIRE：为麦哲伦望远镜开发创新型红外光谱仪

• 批准号: 0619490
• 负责人: Robert Simcoe
• 金额: $ 173.06万
• 依托单位: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-07-15 至 2010-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0619490&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: FIRE; Development; Innovative; Infrared; Spectrometer

AST-0619490Robert Simcoe, Adam Burgasser, and Paul SchechterMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyProfessors Robert Simcoe, Adam Burgasser and Paul Schechter of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will construct, calibrate and commission the Folded-Port Infrared Echellette (FIRE)- a moderate resolution near infrared spectrograph for use with the twin 6.5-meter Magellan telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Intellectual Merit: FIRE is a science-driven instrument, optimized for spectral line studies of faint astronomical sources at near infrared wavelengths. FIRE's unique combination of spectral resolution, complete wavelength coverage and high sensitivity will enable significant advances in many areas of astrophysics, including: studies of the early universe, gamma ray bursts, the intergalactic medium, galaxy formation, supermassive black holes, star formation, low mass stars, brown dwarfs, planet formation, and Kuiper belt objects. FIRE's simple design makes it a versatile, user-friendly instrument. FIRE will be the first facility infrared spectrograph for Magellan, and has been identified as a top-priority instrument by Magellan's Science Advisory Council (SAC). Its innovative design provides complete spectral coverage over the entire 0.9-2.5 micron band in a single exposure, offering both moderate resolution cross-dispersed (R= 6000) and low resolution prism-dispersed (R=1200) broadband spectroscopy. Its primary mode provides sufficient resolution to mitigate the strong atmospheric OH emission foreground, while still maintaining sensitivity to detect faint, near-infrared sources. Both modes achieve high throughput through the use of prisms as dispersing (or cross-dispersing) elements. A low noise, large format HgCdTe detector accommodates a spectral format that is simultaneously broadband and high resolution. FIRE's compact design will expedite construction and installation, while keeping its cost low relative to cutting-edge infrared spectrometers on comparable telescopes. Much of the design work has already been completed. FIRE will be assembled and calibrated at MIT throughout CY 2007-2008, and shipped to Magellan for commissioning and regular science operations in late 2008.Broader Impact: As the first facility, infrared spectrograph for Magellan, FIRE will dramatically enhance the capabilities of these world-class telescopes, and by extension, the research of astronomers at consortium institutions (Carnegie Observatories, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Arizona and the University of Michigan). It will also be available to US national astronomers through open competition. FIRE's use at Magellan will enable young researchers to develop their future potential by learning the tools of infrared spectroscopy and its application to experimental astrophysics. All consortium members encourage students to formulate, apply for and carry out research programs with Magellan facilities, and strong support is given to members of under-represented groups through programs such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

AST-0619490马萨诸塞州理工学院的Robert Simcoe、Adam Burgasser和Paul Schechter教授将建造、校准和调试折叠端口红外Echellette（FIRE）-一种中等分辨率的近红外光谱仪，用于智利拉斯坎帕纳斯天文台的双6.5米麦哲伦望远镜。 智力优势：FIRE是一种科学驱动的仪器，最适合于近红外波长的微弱天文源的光谱线研究。FIRE独特的光谱分辨率、完整的波长覆盖范围和高灵敏度的组合将使天体物理学的许多领域取得重大进展，包括：早期宇宙、伽马射线爆发、星系间介质、星系形成、超大质量黑洞、星星形成、低质量恒星、褐矮星、行星形成和柯伊伯带天体的研究。FIRE的简单设计使其成为一种多功能、用户友好的仪器。FIRE将是麦哲伦号的第一台设施红外光谱仪，并已被麦哲伦号科学咨询理事会（SAC）确定为最优先的仪器。它的创新设计在一次曝光中提供了整个0.9-2.5微米波段的完整光谱覆盖，提供了中等分辨率的交叉色散（R= 6000）和低分辨率的棱镜色散（R=1200）宽带光谱。它的主要模式提供了足够的分辨率，以减轻强烈的大气OH排放前景，同时仍然保持灵敏度，以检测微弱的近红外源。这两种模式通过使用棱镜作为色散（或交叉色散）元件来实现高吞吐量。低噪声、大幅面HgCdTe探测器可同时提供宽带和高分辨率的光谱格式。FIRE的紧凑设计将加快建造和安装，同时保持其成本相对于同类望远镜上的尖端红外光谱仪较低。大部分设计工作已经完成。FIRE将于2007-2008年在麻省理工学院组装和校准，并于2008年底运往麦哲伦进行调试和定期科学运行。作为麦哲伦的第一台红外光谱仪，FIRE将大大提高这些世界级望远镜的能力，并进一步提高联盟机构天文学家的研究能力。（卡内基天文台、哈佛-史密森天体物理中心、马萨诸塞州理工学院、亚利桑那大学和密歇根大学）。它也将通过公开竞争提供给美国国家天文学家。在麦哲伦使用FIRE将使年轻的研究人员能够通过学习红外光谱及其在实验天体物理学中的应用来开发他们未来的潜力。 所有联盟成员鼓励学生制定，申请和开展研究计划与麦哲伦设施，并通过计划，如本科生研究机会计划在马萨诸塞州理工学院的代表性不足的群体的成员给予强有力的支持。