Astronomical Instrument

ARC researchers develop the cutting edge technology needed for the next generation of telescopes.

Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST)

GHOST will provide two-object plus sky spectroscopy with full wavelength coverage from ~360-1000nm at resolutions from 50,000 to 75,000, and high throughput at the Gemini Observatory.

Contact: Alan McConnachie, Kim Venn

Postdocs:

  • Chris Hayes
  • Federico Sestito

Students:

  • Fletcher Waller

NFIRAOS and HeNOS

The Narrow Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS) is a multiconjugate adaptive optics system with two deformable mirrors and six laser guide star wavefront sensors, designed as the AO heart of the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT). Its location at Nasmyth allows it to support three client instruments operating over the 0.8 – 2.5 µm wavelength range. HeNOS is the test bench, designed to be a scaled down version of NFIRAOS.

Contact: Dave Andersen, Jean-Pierre Veran, Paolo Turri

Students:

  • Mojtaba Taheri
  • Tarun Kumar

Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS)

Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) is a new instrument being constructed for the Gemini telescope that will carry out simultaneous high angular resolution infrared spectroscopy of four objects within a two-arcminute field-of-regard. The instrument will take advantage of the latest developments in adaptive optics. GIRMOS's capabilities will also make it a pathfinder for the Thirty Meter Telescope's Infrared Multi-ObjectSpectrograph (IRMOS), planned as a second-generation instrument.

Contact:  Jean-Pierre Veran, Scott Chapman, Paolo Turri

PI: 

GIRMOS instrument

Phased Array Feeds (PAFs)

Phased array feeds are rapid-imaging devices used in radio-astronomy observatories like DRAO and the SKA.  They also have potential in medical physics and geophysics.

Contact: Tim Robishaw

JWST FGS/NIRISS

The Fine Guidance System / Near InfraRed Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS) are designed for precision pointing and near-IR spectroscopy from 0.8 - 5 microns, at resolutions ranging from 150 to 700, contributing to all James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) main Science Themes.   With the successful launch of JWST, these instruments will soon be used in scientific studies.

Contact : John Hutchings, Chris Willott