NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Fiber optics for astronomical spectroscopy - The Medusa SpectrographAn instrument has been built to obtain simultaneous spectra of 32 objects in the field of view of the Steward Observatory 2.3 m telescope. Short lengths of optical fiber are used to bring light from galaxy images at the focus of the telescope into a line at the spectrograph slit. This multi-fiber aperture plate instrument has been dubbed the Medusa Spectrograph. The Medusa is now producing spectra of about 100 galaxies per clear night. An optimized version of the instrument called the MX Spectrometer is being constructed to record spectra at a higher rate. This new instrument will have remotely positioned fibers under computer control. A Charge Coupled Device will be used as the spectrograph detector to allow sky subtraction, give increased dynamic range and provide more accurate wavelength calibration. Transmission characteristics of some commercial fibers are discussed, and the microlens optics used to match the telescope and the spectrograph to the fibers to avoid focal ratio degradation are described.
Document ID
19840066860
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hill, J. M.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Angel, J. R. P.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Scott, J. S.
(Steward Observatory Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1983
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Accession Number
84A49647
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-121
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-124
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-81-16965
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available