Instruments
Last updated Sep 9, 2016
The September 2016 issue of The LBTO Users' Gazette is out.
It contains useful information on instrument availability, observing modes, site characteristics, as well as news on what is coming.
Instruments and observing modes available for 2017A (2017 Feb 1 - July 9)
- LBCB, LBCR, MODS1, MODS2
- LUCI1 and LUCI2 in seeing limited mode
- LUCI1 in Enhanced Seeing Mode (ESM) and AO* imaging mode in shared risk
- LUCI2 in Enhanced Seeing Mode (ESM) and AO* imaging and spectrocsopic mode in shared risk
- Homogeneous Binocular (e.g. LBCB+LBCR in usual more - MODS1+MODS2 in twin mode - LUCI1+LUCI2 in shared risk*)
- "Pseudo-monocular" mode with LBC only (LBC+LUCI - LBC+MODS)
* commissioning ongoing in 16B
- LMIRCAM and NOMIC on LBTI (not available after May 15). You must contact Phil Hinz, the PI of LBTI (phinz@as.arizona.edu), before submitting your proposal.
- PEPSI in spectroscopic mode. You must contact Klaus Strassmeier, the PI of PEPSI (kstrassmeier@aip.de), before submitting your proposal.
Shared risk
- PIs should be prepared for a potentially lower efficiency than expected in those modes.
It contains useful information on instrument availability, observing modes, site characteristics, as well as news on what is coming.
Instruments and observing modes available for 2017A (2017 Feb 1 - July 9)
- LBCB, LBCR, MODS1, MODS2
- LUCI1 and LUCI2 in seeing limited mode
- LUCI1 in Enhanced Seeing Mode (ESM) and AO* imaging mode in shared risk
- LUCI2 in Enhanced Seeing Mode (ESM) and AO* imaging and spectrocsopic mode in shared risk
- Homogeneous Binocular (e.g. LBCB+LBCR in usual more - MODS1+MODS2 in twin mode - LUCI1+LUCI2 in shared risk*)
- "Pseudo-monocular" mode with LBC only (LBC+LUCI - LBC+MODS)
* commissioning ongoing in 16B
- LMIRCAM and NOMIC on LBTI (not available after May 15). You must contact Phil Hinz, the PI of LBTI (phinz@as.arizona.edu), before submitting your proposal.
- PEPSI in spectroscopic mode. You must contact Klaus Strassmeier, the PI of PEPSI (kstrassmeier@aip.de), before submitting your proposal.
Shared risk
- PIs should be prepared for a potentially lower efficiency than expected in those modes.
Note for 2017A proposal submission
In 2017A, an estimate of 30 nights will be available for each 1/4th LBTO partner.
Information about instruments for investigators can be found here.
LBTO has developed a Phase I Tool (PIT) for proposal submissions.
For 2017B the following partners are participating in PIT submission: Arizona (AZ, NAU, ASU), LBTB (MPIA, IAP),
University of Notre Dame, University of Virginia, and University of Minnesota.
Please follow this link to prepare and submit your proposal.
In 2017A, an estimate of 30 nights will be available for each 1/4th LBTO partner.
Information about instruments for investigators can be found here.
LBTO has developed a Phase I Tool (PIT) for proposal submissions.
For 2017B the following partners are participating in PIT submission: Arizona (AZ, NAU, ASU), LBTB (MPIA, IAP),
University of Notre Dame, University of Virginia, and University of Minnesota.
Please follow this link to prepare and submit your proposal.
LBC Red - LBC Blue
The Large Binocular Cameras (LBC) are two wide-field cameras mounted on the prime focus swing arms of LBT. LBC Blue is blue-optimized for observations from approximately 3500 to 6500 angstroms, while LBC Red is is red-optimized for observations from approximately 5500 angstroms to 1 micron. The LBCs are used simultaneously (binocular mode).
The LBC focal plane consists of four EEV42-90 CCDs (2048 x 4608 pixels, 13.5 microns x 13.5 microns per pixel). The focal plane scale is 16.9 arcsec/mm, and, thus, the average pixel scale for both LBC Blue and LBC Red is 0.2255 arcsec/pixel. Each CCD covers approximately 7.8 arcmin x 17.6 arcmin, with gaps between the chips of ~18 arcseconds (70 pixels). The science field of view is approximately 23 arcmin x 25 arcmin.
The Large Binocular Cameras (LBC) are two wide-field cameras mounted on the prime focus swing arms of LBT. LBC Blue is blue-optimized for observations from approximately 3500 to 6500 angstroms, while LBC Red is is red-optimized for observations from approximately 5500 angstroms to 1 micron. The LBCs are used simultaneously (binocular mode).
The LBC focal plane consists of four EEV42-90 CCDs (2048 x 4608 pixels, 13.5 microns x 13.5 microns per pixel). The focal plane scale is 16.9 arcsec/mm, and, thus, the average pixel scale for both LBC Blue and LBC Red is 0.2255 arcsec/pixel. Each CCD covers approximately 7.8 arcmin x 17.6 arcmin, with gaps between the chips of ~18 arcseconds (70 pixels). The science field of view is approximately 23 arcmin x 25 arcmin.
MODS1 - MODS2
MODS1 and MODS2 are a pair of matched low- to medium-resolution Multi-Object Double CCD Spectrographs/Imagers. The MODS are two identical two-channel spectrographs, one for each of the direct f/15 Gregorian foci of the LBT. Each MODS is a seeing-limited spectrograph and imager working in the 320-1100nm wavelength range with a 6x6-arcminute field of view. Gratings provide a spectral resolution of R~2000 and double-pass prisms provide a low-resolution (R=500-150) faint-object mode. Multi-object spectroscopy is accomplished using laser-machined focal-plane slit masks fed into the beam from a 24-position mask cassette. A beam selector below the slit carries a dichroic that splits the incoming beam into separate red- and blue-optimized channels at a wavelength of 565nm.
MODS1 and MODS2 are a pair of matched low- to medium-resolution Multi-Object Double CCD Spectrographs/Imagers. The MODS are two identical two-channel spectrographs, one for each of the direct f/15 Gregorian foci of the LBT. Each MODS is a seeing-limited spectrograph and imager working in the 320-1100nm wavelength range with a 6x6-arcminute field of view. Gratings provide a spectral resolution of R~2000 and double-pass prisms provide a low-resolution (R=500-150) faint-object mode. Multi-object spectroscopy is accomplished using laser-machined focal-plane slit masks fed into the beam from a 24-position mask cassette. A beam selector below the slit carries a dichroic that splits the incoming beam into separate red- and blue-optimized channels at a wavelength of 565nm.
LUCI1 - LUCI2
LUCI 1 and LUCI2 are a pair of infrared multi-mode instruments. In seeing-limited mode, each has a 4 arc-minute square field of view and will be capable of long-slit and multi-slit spectroscopy as well as imaging in the near infrared zJHK bands from 0.89 (LUCI1) or 0.96 (LUCI2) to 2.44 microns. Each instrument will ultimately include diffraction-limited optics (not available yet) covering a 30-arcsecond field of view for use with the adaptive secondary mirrors. In seeing limited mode, the image scale is 0.12"/pix (N3.75 camera) for imaging and 0.25 "/pix (N1.8 camera) for spectroscopy. Laser-cut slit masks reside in a jukebox inside the instrument cryostat. Various gratings provide resolutions from ~2000 for H+K to 6500-8500 in single band z,j,H,K in the basic modes.
LUCI 1 and LUCI2 are a pair of infrared multi-mode instruments. In seeing-limited mode, each has a 4 arc-minute square field of view and will be capable of long-slit and multi-slit spectroscopy as well as imaging in the near infrared zJHK bands from 0.89 (LUCI1) or 0.96 (LUCI2) to 2.44 microns. Each instrument will ultimately include diffraction-limited optics (not available yet) covering a 30-arcsecond field of view for use with the adaptive secondary mirrors. In seeing limited mode, the image scale is 0.12"/pix (N3.75 camera) for imaging and 0.25 "/pix (N1.8 camera) for spectroscopy. Laser-cut slit masks reside in a jukebox inside the instrument cryostat. Various gratings provide resolutions from ~2000 for H+K to 6500-8500 in single band z,j,H,K in the basic modes.
LMIRCam on LBTI
LMIRCam is a camera and coronagraph built to exploit the unique sensitivity and resolution of the LBT Interferometer. LMIIRCam is available in three modes: (1) Single and dual aperture non-coherent (direct) imaging - (2) Single and Dual aperture nonredundant mask imaging. - (3) Single aperture apodizing phase plate coronagraphy.
The LMIRCam detector is a Teledyne H2RG device with sensitivity from 1-5 µm wavelength. The current electronics only enables the readout of a quarter of the array. The field of view is ~11"x11" with a pixel scale of 10.7mas/pixel. While optimized for 3-5 µm, LMIRCam can be sued at shorter wavelengths. Follow this link for more information on LMIRCam. Before applying, contact LBTI's PI Phil Hinz <phinz at as.arizona.edu>. If you are interested in NOMIC, a mid-infrared (8-13 μm) camera, follow this link.
LMIRCam is a camera and coronagraph built to exploit the unique sensitivity and resolution of the LBT Interferometer. LMIIRCam is available in three modes: (1) Single and dual aperture non-coherent (direct) imaging - (2) Single and Dual aperture nonredundant mask imaging. - (3) Single aperture apodizing phase plate coronagraphy.
The LMIRCam detector is a Teledyne H2RG device with sensitivity from 1-5 µm wavelength. The current electronics only enables the readout of a quarter of the array. The field of view is ~11"x11" with a pixel scale of 10.7mas/pixel. While optimized for 3-5 µm, LMIRCam can be sued at shorter wavelengths. Follow this link for more information on LMIRCam. Before applying, contact LBTI's PI Phil Hinz <phinz at as.arizona.edu>. If you are interested in NOMIC, a mid-infrared (8-13 μm) camera, follow this link.
PEPSI
PEPSI is a spectrograph located on a 2mx6m optical table in the telescope pier, inside a pressure- and temperature-stabilized chamber. It receives light from the polarimeters and permanent focus stations via 45m long fibres, coupled with image slicers. The polarimetric mode provides a resolution of 120.000, while resolutions of 43.000, 120.000 and 270.000 can be obtained with the permanent focus stations. The two spectrograph cameras each are equipped with a monolithic 10.3kx10.3k CCD, with 9 µm pixels. For each spectral order, four spectra are recorded, i.e. two polarization states or object/sky for each telescope. The entire spectral range from 383 to 907 nm can be covered in three exposures. Follow this link for a complete description of the instrument.
PEPSI is a spectrograph located on a 2mx6m optical table in the telescope pier, inside a pressure- and temperature-stabilized chamber. It receives light from the polarimeters and permanent focus stations via 45m long fibres, coupled with image slicers. The polarimetric mode provides a resolution of 120.000, while resolutions of 43.000, 120.000 and 270.000 can be obtained with the permanent focus stations. The two spectrograph cameras each are equipped with a monolithic 10.3kx10.3k CCD, with 9 µm pixels. For each spectral order, four spectra are recorded, i.e. two polarization states or object/sky for each telescope. The entire spectral range from 383 to 907 nm can be covered in three exposures. Follow this link for a complete description of the instrument.
For a description of the LBTO instrument suite, you are welcome to read the following paper (click here for a pdf version) published in July 2016:
Current status of the facility instrumentation suite at the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory
Barry Rothberg ; Olga Kuhn ; Michelle L. Edwards ; John M. Hill ; David Thompson ; Christian Veillet ; R. Mark Wagner
Proc. SPIE 9906, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VI, 990622 (July 27, 2016); doi:10.1117/12.2233245
Copyright 2014 Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.
doi: 10.1117/12.2056787
Current status of the facility instrumentation suite at the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory
Barry Rothberg ; Olga Kuhn ; Michelle L. Edwards ; John M. Hill ; David Thompson ; Christian Veillet ; R. Mark Wagner
Proc. SPIE 9906, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VI, 990622 (July 27, 2016); doi:10.1117/12.2233245
Copyright 2014 Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.
doi: 10.1117/12.2056787