Stephen Goodsell, André-Nicolas Chené, and Scot Kleinman
Instrument Development Update
Gemini’s optical spectroscopic program is rapidly advancing with both
the Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph (GHOS) and Gemini
Remote Access to CFHT ESPaDOnS (GRACES) making significant strides.
The Gemini Planet Imager is now poised for scientific operations, and
ongoing work is extending the capabilities of our Gemini Multi-Object
Spectrographs. The following highlights summarize recent progress in
these important future capabilities.
The Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph
The Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph (GHOS) post-conceptual-design contracts
are now approved by the Gemini Board, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), thus starting the Preliminary
Design Stage for this long-awaited project. This allows us to proceed quickly into a team kickoff meeting with representatives from Gemini, the Anglo-Australian Observatory, National
Research Council of Canada-Herzberg, and Australian National University. The remainder of
the project should take about four years to complete.
GRACES: A Gemini and CFHT Partnership in Spectroscopy
Leaps Forward
Gemini Observatory, the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), and the National Research
Council (NRC) Herzberg in Canada have formed an innovative partnership on a project that
is progressing rapidly. Called GRACES (Gemini Remote Access to CFHT ESPaDOnS Spectrograph), this exciting initiative hopes to prove our ability to provide a powerful new tool for
high-resolution optical spectroscopy at Gemini.
April 2014
GeminiFocus 11