Towards Full Automation of High Resolution Spectroscopy (Abstract)

Volume 46 number 2 (2018)

Andrew Smith

Greenacre, 25 Station Road, Delamere CW8 2HU, United Kingdom; andrew.j.smith1905@btinternet.com

Abstract

(Abstract only) Following the successful automation of low resolution spectroscopy with a 300-mm F5.4 Newtonian and a LISA spectrograph I decided to move to medium/high resolution with a 400-mm ODK and homemade fibre-fed spectrographs R ~ 10,000–20,000. This talk discusses the construction of the Medium Resolution echelle spectrograph (R ~ 10,000) and the work necessary to automate its operation to the point where I can supply it with target information, press “Run” on my python program, and retreat to the comfort of my arm chair. The R ~ 10,000 echelle spectrograph is intended for accurate radial velocity measurement and to this end is temperature stabilized to better than ± 0.04 degree. It uses a conventional layout with a R2 echelle and a F2 prism as cross disperser. Both the collimator and camera lenses are commercial camera lenses. The route to automation rests on the core capabilities and script-ability of Software Bisque’s the Sky x and the accuracy of the Paramount ME II. However, there are a number of challenges due to the small field of view provided by the Shelyak Instruments Fibre Guide-head at the 2.7-m focal length of the 400-mm ODK and the need to center and maintain the target on a 75-micron hole. The separation of the finding and guiding tasks by using a dichroic beam splitter is central to the solution.