eXtreme Multiplex Spectrograph for the 3.5m Calar Alto telescope

We'll describe the design and science case for the XMS spectrograph at the prime focus of the 3.5-m Calar Alto telescope that can deliver at least 4000 MOS slits simultaneously over a 1-deg field. This extreme multiplex capability means that 25000 galaxy redshifts can be measured in a single night, opening up the possibilities for large galaxy redshift surveys out to z~1 to study galaxy evolution by estimating galaxy group and cluster masses, dark energy and for many other science goals. The design features four cloned spectrographs and exploits the exclusive possibility of tiling the focal plane of wide-field 4-m telescopes with CCDs for multi-object spectroscopic purposes. In ~250 night projects, such spectrographs have the potential to make galaxy redshift surveys of ~5x10^6 galaxies over a wide redshift range and thus may provide a low-cost alternative to other survey routes. Combining the spectroscopic surveying capability of XMS with the Pan-STARRS PS1 imaging surveys will provide a uniquely powerful tool for stellar and extragalactic astronomy and cosmology.

 

Fecha: 
10/12/2009 - 13:00
Conferenciante: 
Francisco Prada & Santiago Becerril
Filiación: 
Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia - CSIC


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