6dF: An Automated Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopy System for the
UKST
Contact: qap@aaocbn.aao.gov.au
Q.A. Parker, S. Miziarkski, F.G. Watson
- Anglo-Australian Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW 2357, Australia
Abstract
Apart from carrying out wide-field photographic imaging the U.K. Schmidt
Telescope of the
Anglo-Australian Observatory also operates the
FLAIR multi-fibre spectroscopy system (e.g. Parker and Watson 1995).
In the five years in which FLAIR has operated as a common-user facility,
over 22 000 object spectra have been obtained.
However, a major drawback of the current system is that the fibre
positioning is only semi-automated and can take
four to six hours to affix the 100 fibres over the UKST field.
With a thinned CCD being commissioned in 1995
typical observations of sufficient S/N now take much less than this (e.g.
about an hour for galaxy redshifts
to B~17). Clearly FLAIR is operating far short of its potential.
Consequently a fully-automated, off telescope, pick-place fibre-positioning
system known as 6dF has been
proposed to address this bottle-neck. The aim is to provide a system
capable of
configuring 150 fibres
in under an hour across a 6-degree circular field. Three field plates are
also planned allowing rapid
field interchange (10-15 minute field plate changeover expected) to keep up
with the observations. A factor 10 improvement in observing efficiency is
promised. For the first time, an effective means
of tackling major, full hemisphere, spectroscopic surveys will be available
at the UKST. An all southern
sky near-infrared selected galaxy redshift survey is a specific
high-priority example.
We have just completed a phase-A design study where many of the concepts
have been successfully tested.
The estimated cost of 6dF is $A450k with some funding already in place.
The instrument will be built over
a timescale of 2 years with expected commissioning in early 2000.
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