instrumentation: spectrographs; ultraviolet: general
Abstract :
[en] We describe the design, construction and commissioning of a simple, low-cost long-slit spectrograph for the Liverpool Telescope. The design is optimized for near-UV and visible wavelengths and uses all transmitting optics. It exploits the instrument focal plane field curvature to partially correct axial chromatic aberration. A stepped slit provides narrow (2.5 × 95 arcsec) and wide (5 × 25 arcsec) options that are optimized for spectral resolution and flux calibration, respectively. On sky testing shows a wavelength range of 3200-6300 Å with a peak system throughput (including detector quantum efficiency) of 15 per cent and wavelength dependent spectral resolution of R = 225-430. By repeated observations of the symbiotic emission line star AG Peg, we demonstrate the wavelength stability of the system is <2 Å rms and is limited by the positioning of the object in the slit. The spectrograph is now in routine operation monitoring the activity of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during its current post-perihelion apparition.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Steele, I. A.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Marchant, J. M.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Jermak, H. E.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Barnsley, R. M.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Bates, S. D.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Clay, N. R.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Fitzsimmons, A.; Astrophysics Research Centre, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
Jehin, Emmanuel ; Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Origines Cosmologiques et Astrophysiques (OrCa)
Jones, G.; Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Space & Climate Physics, University College London, London, RH5 6NT, UK
Mottram, C. J.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Smith, R. J.; Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
Snodgrass, C.; Planetary and Space Sciences, Department of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
de Val-Borro, M.; Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA)
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