MOONS – multi object spectroscopy for the VLT: overview and instrument integration update

González, Óscar; Cirasuolo, M.; Taylor, W. D.; Black, Martin; Rees, Philip; Bryson, Ian; Chittick, Stephen; Afonso, José Augusto Bastos; Lilly, Simon; Flores, H.; Maiolino, R.; Oliva, E.; Paltani, S.; Vanzi, L.; Abreu, Manuel; Amans, Jean-Philippe; Atkinson, David; Beard, S. M.; Belfiore, A.; Breen, Ciaran; Bayo, A.; Born, Andy; Cabral, Alexandre; Chapman, Lee; Cochrane, William; Coelho, J. A. B.; Colling, Miriam; Conzelmann, Ralf; D’Alessio, F.; Davidson, George; Delplancke-Ströbele, F.; Fisher, Martin; Forchi, V.; Franzetti, P.; Garilli, B.; Gargiulo, A.; Guinouard, Isabelle; Gutiérrez, Pablo; Haigron, R.; Hammersley, P. L.; Ivanov, V. D.; Ives, Derek; Iwert, Olaf; King, David A.; Kovacz, Suzanne; Laporte, Philippe; Lee, David; Causi, G. Li; Macleod, Alastair; Mendez, Domingo Alvarez; Oliveira, Antônio Donizette de; Palsa, Ralf; Parra, Manuel Luque; Pedichini, Fernando; Pena, Vicente López; Petr-Gotzens, M. G.; Rodrigues, M.; Royer, F.; Santos, Pedro A.; Sepulveda, Jorge L.; Sharman, Robyn; Shen, Tzu‐Chiang; Sordet, M.; Strachan, Jonathan; Tait, Graham; Tejeda, Alexis; Tozzi, A.; O'Malley, Norman; Waring, Chris; Watson, Stephen; Willemse, Bart; Gao, Xiaofeng; Yang, Yintang; Zoccali, M.

doi:10.1117/12.2629932

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…MOONS is a highly efficient multi-object visible and near-infrared spectrograph for the VLT [1], currently nearing completion with first light due in 2023. The MOONS rotating front-end (RFE) [2] centrally comprises a fibre positioning module (FPM) which is made up of ~1000 independently-controlled, dual-arm fibre positioning units (FPUs), enabling up to 1000 spectra per observation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MOONS fibre positioning module: instrument build overview

Watson

Artan

Atkinson

et al. 2022

Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation V

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MOONS (Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) is a third-generation visible and near-infrared spectrograph for the ESO Very Large Telescope, currently nearing the end of the assembly phase. The three channel spectrograph is fed via a fibre positioning module (FPM) which configures the location of 1001 fibres. The robotic fibre positioning units (FPUs) have been jointly developed by the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) and MPS Microsystems (MPS) and provide a high-performance multiplexed focal plane with excellent transmission characteristics. An overview of the as-built mechanisms and supporting infrastructure is presented, with details on the extensive calibration process carried out. The integration process to date will be described, including a discussion of key lessons learned.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MOONS fibre positioning module: instrument build overview

Watson

Artan

Atkinson

et al. 2022

Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation V

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“…The sub-system is designed to accurately determine the physical location of the fibre positioning units (FPUs) in the plate reference system at any instance required during operations. An overview of the MOONS instrument, FPUs, and the metrology system in context can be found in [1], [2], and [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MOONS – Multi Object spectroscopy for the VLT: Design and testing of the MOONS metrology system

González

Breen

Sepulveda³

et al. 2022

Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation V

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“…MOONS [1] is a multi-object, fibre-fed spectrograph for the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT). It uses a hexagonal grid of 1000 2-axis positioners to place fibres on targets at the telescope focal plane.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%