Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) Instrumentation Suite

TL;DR

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) is a new, highly multiplexed spectroscopic facility replacing the 3.6-m telescope, capable of observing thousands of targets simultaneously with advanced instrument components and integration systems.

Contribution

This paper details the conceptual design and system integration approach for MSE's unique instrument suite and its components, including the positioner, fiber system, and spectrographs.

Findings

Conceptual designs of key instrument components completed

System interface and integration constraints defined

Preparation for procurement and integration underway

Abstract

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) is replacement of the existing 3.6-m Canada France Hawaii Telescope into a dedicated wide field highly multiplexed fiber fed spectroscopic facility. MSE is capable of observing over four thousand science targets simultaneously in two resolution modes. The paper describes the unique instrument system capabilities and its components starting from the telescope prime focus and ending at the spectrograph suite. The instrument system components have completed their conceptual designs and they include a Sphinx positioner system, fiber transmission system, low/moderate resolution and high resolution spectrographs and a calibration system. These components will be procured separately and the Project is responsible for their integration and the overall system performance afterward. The paper describes from a system perspective the specific design and interface constraints imposed on the components given the extra interface and integration considerations.