Abstract
The Echidna concept is an attractive solution to performing wide-field spectroscopy in fast beam systems (around F/2.5 or faster) where traditional pick and place multi-fiber positioners are not viable. We introduce a concept design for a 2000+ fiber Echidna-style positioner for the prime focus of a telescope optimized for wide field spectroscopy. A summary of the original 400-fiber Echidna positioner for the Subaru prime focus is presented. The natural extension of this design to a 2000+ fiber system is discussed. Two proposals currently under development incorporating such a positioner are introduced. The 2250 fiber Ukidna spectrograph is a stellar radial velocity engine for the UK Schmidt telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. More ambitious is the 4000 fiber Kilo-Aperture Optical Spectrograph (KAOS) enabling the 8-m Gemini telescopes with a 1.5° field of view for multi-object spectroscopy. Both instruments offer an order of magnitude increase in spectroscopic survey power compared with current day facilities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 299-305 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
| Volume | 4836 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Survey and Other Telescope Technologies and Discoveries - Waikoloa, HI, United States Duration: 27 Aug 2002 → 28 Aug 2002 |