MMT & Magellan Infrared Spectrograph

TL;DR

The MMIRS instrument is a versatile cryogenic infrared spectrograph operating in the 0.9-2.4 micron range, enabling imaging and spectroscopy for various astronomical research at the MMT and Magellan telescopes.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design, capabilities, and operational history of the MMIRS instrument, highlighting its versatility and scientific applications in infrared astronomy.

Findings

Commissioned in 2009 at MMT, operational at Magellan since 2010.

Provides imaging with 0.2 arcsec resolution over a 6.9x6.9 arcmin field.

Offers spectral resolutions of 800 to 3000 with various dispersers.

Abstract

The MMT and Magellan infrared spectrograph (MMIRS) is a cryogenic multiple slit spectrograph operating in the wavelength range 0.9-2.4 micron. MMIRS' refractive optics offer a 6.9 by 6.9 arcmin field of view for imaging with a spatial resolution of 0.2 arcsec per pixel on a HAWAII-2 array. For spectroscopy, MMIRS can be used with long slits up to 6.9 arcmin long, or with custom slit masks having slitlets distributed over a 4 by 6.9 arcmin area. A range of dispersers offer spectral resolutions of 800 to 3000. MMIRS is designed to be used at the f/5 foci of the MMT or Magellan Clay 6.5m telescopes. MMIRS was commissioned in 2009 at the MMT and has been in routine operation at the Magellan Clay Telescope since 2010. MMIRS is being used for a wide range of scientific investigations from exoplanet atmospheres to Ly-alpha emitters.