MOONS: multi-object spectroscopy for the VLT: overview and final instrument performance ahead of commissioning

Oscar Gonzalez; Michele Cirasuolo; Martin Black; William Taylor; Stephen Chittick

doi:10.1117/12.3019839

19 July 2024 MOONS: multi-object spectroscopy for the VLT: overview and final instrument performance ahead of commissioning

Oscar Gonzalez, Michele Cirasuolo, Martin Black, William Taylor, Stephen Chittick

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13096, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy X; 130960R (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019839
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

The Multi Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph (MOONS) instrument is the next generation multi-object spectrograph for the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The instrument combines the high multiplexing capability offered by 1000 optical fibres deployed by individual robotic positioners with a novel spectrograph able to provide both low- and high-resolution spectroscopy simultaneously across the wavelength range 0.64μm - 1.8μm. Powered by the collecting area of the 8-m VLT, MOONS will provide the astronomical community with a world-leading facility able to serve a wide range of Galactic, Extragalactic and Cosmological studies. This paper will provide an updated overview of the instrument and report on its performance during the final stage of integration testing. The next stage of the instrument is on site-assembly into the telescope, ready for first light and full commissioning. MOONS will be starting science operations in October 2025.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Oscar Gonzalez, Michele Cirasuolo, Martin Black, William Taylor, and Stephen Chittick "MOONS: multi-object spectroscopy for the VLT: overview and final instrument performance ahead of commissioning", Proc. SPIE 13096, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy X, 130960R (19 July 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019839

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