NRES: the network of robotic Echelle spectrographs

Robert J. Siverd; Timothy M. Brown; John Hygelund; Todd Henderson; Joseph R. Tufts; Jason D. Eastman; Julian van Eyken; Stuart Barnes

doi:10.1117/12.2233188

9 August 2016 NRES: the network of robotic Echelle spectrographs

Robert J. Siverd, Timothy M. Brown, John Hygelund, Todd Henderson, Joseph R. Tufts, Jason D. Eastman, Julian van Eyken, Stuart Barnes

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI; 99086X (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233188
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

Las Cumbres Observatory Global Network (LCOGT) is building the Network of Robotic Echelle Spectrographs (NRES), which will consist of six identical, optical (390 - 860 nm) high-precision spectrographs, each fiber-fed simultaneously by up to two 1-meter telescopes and a thorium argon calibration source. We plan to install one at up to 6 observatory sites in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, creating a single, globally-distributed, autonomous spectrograph facility using up to twelve 1-meter telescopes. Simulations suggest we will achieve long-term radial velocity precision of 3 m/s in less than an hour for stars brighter than V = 12. We have been funded with NSF MRI and ATI grants, and expect our first spectrograph to be deployed in fall 2016, with the full network operation of 5 or 6 units beginning in 2017. We will briefly overview the NRES design, goals, robotic operation, and status. In addition, we will discuss early results from our prototype spectrograph, the laboratory and on-sky performance of our first production unit, and the ongoing software development effort to bring this resource online.

Citation Download Citation

Robert J. Siverd, Timothy M. Brown, John Hygelund, Todd Henderson, Joseph R. Tufts, Jason D. Eastman, Julian van Eyken, and Stuart Barnes "NRES: the network of robotic Echelle spectrographs", Proc. SPIE 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 99086X (9 August 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233188

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available