The Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) is a second generation instrument in development for theVery Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). It is a  panoramic integral-field spectrograph operating in the visible wavelength range. It combines a wide field of view with the improved spatial resolution provided by adaptive optics and covers a large simultaneous spectral range. MUSE couples the discovery potential of an imaging device to the measuring capabilities of a spectrograph, while taking advantage of the increased spatial resolution provided by adaptive optics. This makes it a unique and powerful tool for discovering  objects that cannot be found in imaging surveys.

MUSE is optimised for the study of the progenitors of normal nearby galaxies out to very high redshift.It will also allow very detailed studies of nearby normal, starburst and interacting galaxies, and of galactic star formation regions.

MUSE is a project of 5 european institutes lead by the Centre de Recherche Astronomique de Lyon (CRAL). The project has successfully passed the stage of a Phase-A study and has been endorsed by ESO STC for approval by Council. A contract with ESO and Kick-off into Phase-B are expected for the fall of 2004. First light of the instrument is scheduled for 2012.
 
 

Local Team :

Matthias Steinmetz (local PI)
Martin M. Roth (local Project Manager)
Andreas Kelz (opto-mechanical Design)
Svend-Marian Bauer (mechanical Design)
Thomas Becker (Data Reduction Software)
Sebastian Sanchez(Data Analysis Software)
Harry Enke (Data Reduction Software, parallel Processing Architecture)
 
 

Links :

- MUSE  webpage in Lyon
- ESO VLT Instrumentation
- VLT 2nd Generation Instrumentation  Call for Proposals
- VLT 2nd Generation Instrumentation  Preliminary Proposals
- PMAS
- the  Euro3D  Research Training Network