Mirror-slicer Array for Astronomical Transients. A new Integral Field Spectroscopy mode for OSIRIS at GTC

MAAT (Mirror-slicer Array for Astronomical Transients) is proposed as a new mirror-slicer optical system that will allow the OSIRIS spectrograph at the 10.4 m GTC the capability to perform integral-field spectroscopy (IFS) over a seeing-limited field of view 14.20’' x 10'' with a slice width of 0.303''. MAAT will enhance the resolution power of OSIRIS by 1.6 times with respect to its 0.6'' wide long-slit. All the eleven OSIRIS grisms and VPHs will be available to provide broad spectral coverage with moderate resolution (R=600 up to 4100) in the 3600 - 10000 AA spectral range. MAAT is devised as an IFS-mode for OSIRIS devoted to unveiling the nature of most striking transient phenomena in the universe. Furthermore, MAAT top-level requirements allow to broaden its use to the GTC community for a wide range of competitive science topics given its unique observing capabilities.I will present the different aspects of MAAT, including science and technical specifications, and an outline of the instrument concept to aiming first light by the end of 2021. MAAT refers to the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, justice, and cosmic order.

Date: 
30/01/2020 - 12:30
Speaker: 
Dr. Francisco Prada
Filiation: 
IAA - CSIC


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