Mike Dopita
FAA (RSAA, The Australian National University)

The Wide Field Spectrograph (WiFeS)

Abstract

I will describe the current status of the Wide Field Spectrograph (WiFeS) which is under construction at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) of the Australian National University (ANU) for the ANU 2.3m telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory. WiFeS is a powerful integral field, double-beam, concentric, image-slicing spectrograph designed to deliver excellent throughput (up to 40%), wavelength stability, spectro-photometric performance and superb image quality along with wide spectral coverage throughout the 320-950 nm wavelength region. It provides a 25x38 arc sec. field with 0.5 arc sec. sampling along each of twenty five 38 arc sec long slitlets. The output format is optimized to match the 4096x4096 pixel CCD detectors in each of two cameras individually optimized for the blue and the red ends of the spectrum, respectively. A process of ``interleaved nod-and-shuffle" will be applied to permit quantum noise-limited sky subtraction. Using VPH gratings, spectral resolutions of 3000 and 7000 are provided.
The instrument is being integrated at present, and first light is expected in Jan-Feb 2008. I am currently soliciting Science Verification proposals.
The instrument description is available on astro-ph: arXiv:0705.0287