MRI: Acquisition of a Spectrograph for the Central Washington University Research Telescope

这项重大研究仪器奖将资助中央华盛顿大学（CWU）为新的0.6米望远镜购置科学仪器。该仪器将是一种紧凑、低成本、高分辨率的光谱仪，用于探测和测量木星大小的行星在附近巨星周围的轨道特征。虽然设计是基于现有的仪器，但仪器的大部分组装和测试将由本科生进行。CWU的学生还将参与开发初步设计的国际合作伙伴关系。摄谱仪将让学生有机会体验科学、技术和工程如何结合起来解决研究问题和取得新发现。这个主要的科学目标是探测和监测围绕巨大恒星长周期轨道运行的系外行星。这将通过对少数明亮目标的长期监测来完成，这也将使巨星的星震学成为可能。该仪器的设计目标是在m/s范围内进行精确的径向速度研究，并使用了一个碘电池。大部分当地的工程工作和科学观察将由本科生完成。这将提供一般不授予博士学位的学校所没有的培训机会。

This Major Research Instrumentation award will fund the acquisition of scientific instrumentation for the new 0.6-meter telescope at Central Washington University (CWU). The instrument will be a compact, low-cost, high-resolution spectrograph designed to detect and measure the orbital characteristics of Jupiter-sized planets around nearby giant stars. While the design is based on an existing instrument, much of the assembly and testing of the instrument will be carried out by undergraduate students. CWU students will also participate in the international partnership that developed the initial design. The spectrograph will give students the opportunity to experience how science, technology, and engineering come together to solve research problems and make new discoveries.This primary scientific goal is detection and monitoring of exoplanets in long-period orbits around giant stars. This will be accomplished through long-term monitoring of a small number of bright targets, which should also enable asteroseismology of giant stars. The instrument design targets precision radial velocity studies in the m/s range and makes use of an iodine cell. Much of the local engineering work and scientific observations will be performed by undergraduate students. This will provide training opportunities that generally are not available at non-PhD granting schools.