MRI: Development of Multi-mode Integral Field Units for Magellan (IFU-M)

MRI：麦哲伦多模式整体现场装置 (IFU-M) 的开发

• 批准号: 1726457
• 负责人: Mario Mateo
• 金额: $ 69.65万
• 依托单位: Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-09-01 至 2023-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1726457&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Development; Multi; mode; Integral

One of the main ways that astronomers study the universe is by splitting the telescope light from celestial sources into its component colors. This technique, known as spectroscopy, can often reveal the underlying processes that govern stars, galaxies and the like. A traditional astronomical spectrograph obtains color information at the expense of imaging. However, a modern Integral Field Unit (IFU) spectrograph is able to do both. An IFU obtains an image and a spectrum at each pixel of the image of an astronomical source. The resulting data cube can be studied to determine the spatial distribution of light across a single extended object, or it can be used to study multiple stars or galaxies at once. This project will support the development of an IFU system for the Magellan/Clay telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory. When completed, this instrument will enable a wide range of investigations into topics from the formation of young stars to the dynamics of gas outflows in distant galaxies. In addition to providing a new tool for research, this project will also serve as an essential training opportunity for students and early career scientists. Live feeds from the telescope will be used in conjunction with undergraduate classes. This project builds upon the previous MRI award, 0923160 (PI: Mateo), which funded the development of the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System (M2FS) spectrograph. The M2FS system actually consists of two high-performance optical spectrographs that deliver resolution, R, in the range 1000 to 40,000 over a wavelength range 370-950 nm. Since commissioning in 2013, M2FS has been used to support over 30 distinct science projects proposed by 18 different investigators. This project will develop multi-mode Integral Field Units for Magellan (IFU-M), to be used in conjunction with M2FS. One key design innovation that enables this instrument is the use of fiber gangs, which handle O(10) optical fibers at once for faster fabrication and assembly. Fabrication and assembly will take place at the PI?s lab at the University of Michigan; the completed instrument will be deployed at the Nasmyth focus of the Magellan/Clay telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, where it will undergo commissioning and use as a facility instrument.

天文学家研究宇宙的主要方法之一是将来自天体的望远镜光分解成其组成颜色。 这种被称为光谱学的技术通常可以揭示控制恒星、星系等的潜在过程。 传统的天文摄谱仪以成像为代价获得颜色信息。 然而，现代的积分场单元（IFU）光谱仪能够做到这两点。 IFU在天文源的图像的每个像素处获得图像和光谱。 由此产生的数据立方体可以被研究，以确定光在单个扩展对象上的空间分布，或者它可以用于同时研究多个恒星或星系。 该项目将支持为Las Campanas天文台的Magellan/Clay望远镜开发使用说明书系统。 完成后，这台仪器将能够对从年轻恒星的形成到遥远星系中气体外流的动态等主题进行广泛的调查。 除了为研究提供新的工具外，该项目还将为学生和早期职业科学家提供重要的培训机会。望远镜的实时信号将与本科课程结合使用。 该项目建立在先前的MRI奖0923160（PI：Mateo）的基础上，该奖项资助了密歇根/麦哲伦光纤系统（M2 FS）光谱仪的开发。 M2 FS系统实际上由两台高性能光学光谱仪组成，在370-950 nm波长范围内提供1000至40，000的分辨率R。 自2013年投入使用以来，M2 FS已被用于支持18个不同研究人员提出的30多个不同的科学项目。 该项目将开发用于麦哲伦的多模式积分场单元（IFU-M），与M2 FS结合使用。 实现该仪器的一个关键设计创新是使用光纤组，其一次处理O（10）光纤以更快地制造和组装。 制造和组装将在PI进行？完成的仪器将部署在拉斯坎帕纳斯天文台麦哲伦/克莱望远镜的Nasmyth焦点，在那里它将进行调试并作为设施仪器使用。