Near-Infrared Camera and Fabry-Perot Spectrometer (NIC-FPS)

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

The Near-Infrared Camera and Fabry-Perot Spectrometer (NIC-FPS) uses a cooled Fabry-Perot etalon and will achieve extremely high spectral resolution (fractional bandwidth of 0.01%). The capabilities of this instrument will allow observations of emission lines from astronomical objects that fall between terrestrial OH airglow line emissions. The NIC-FPS instrument on the ARC 3.5-m telescope at Apache Point Observatory will provide significant improvements in sensitivity compared with greater fractional bandwidth instruments on larger telescopes. The present award is for the purchase of narrow-band filters that will be used as spectral order sorters, and for the acquisition of a new controller for the Fabry-Perot etalon. NIC-FPS will be used to study gaseous outflows associated with newly formed stars, highly evolved stars, supernovae, and galaxies. The project involves graduate student participation in the construction and commissioning phases. Both undergraduate and graduate student observing projects will be supported.