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

麻省理工学院的Robert Simcoe， Adam Burgasser和Paul Schechter教授将建造、校准和调试折叠口红外梯队（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。知识价值：FIRE是一种科学驱动的仪器，优化了近红外波长微弱天文光源的谱线研究。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、伽马射线暴、星系间介质、星系形成、超大质量黑洞、恒星形成、低质量恒星、褐矮星、行星形成和柯伊伯带天体的研究。FIRE的简单设计使它成为一个多功能的、用户友好的仪器。FIRE将是麦哲伦的第一个红外光谱仪设备，并已被麦哲伦科学咨询委员会（SAC）确定为最优先的仪器。其创新设计在单次曝光中提供整个0.9-2.5微米波段的完整光谱覆盖，提供中等分辨率交叉分散（R= 6000）和低分辨率棱镜分散（R=1200）宽带光谱。它的主模式提供了足够的分辨率来减轻强烈的大气OH发射前景，同时仍然保持探测微弱的近红外源的灵敏度。这两种模式都通过使用棱镜作为分散（或交叉分散）元件来实现高通量。一种低噪声、大画幅的碲化镉探测器能够同时适应宽带和高分辨率的光谱格式。FIRE的紧凑设计将加快施工和安装，同时与同类望远镜上的尖端红外光谱仪相比，它的成本较低。大部分设计工作已经完成。FIRE将在整个2007-2008年在麻省理工学院组装和校准，并在2008年底运往麦哲伦进行调试和常规科学操作。更广泛的影响：作为麦哲伦的第一个红外光谱仪，FIRE将极大地提高这些世界级望远镜的能力，并通过扩展，天文学家在财团机构（卡内基天文台，哈佛-史密森天体物理中心，麻省理工学院，亚利桑那大学和密歇根大学）的研究。它也将通过公开竞争提供给美国国家天文学家。在麦哲伦上使用FIRE将使年轻的研究人员能够通过学习红外光谱的工具及其在实验天体物理学中的应用来开发他们未来的潜力。所有联盟成员都鼓励学生利用麦哲伦设施制定、申请和开展研究项目，并通过麻省理工学院的本科生研究机会项目等项目向代表性不足的群体成员提供大力支持。

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.