SOXS: a wide band spectrograph to follow up transients

TL;DR

SOXS is a wide-band spectrograph designed for rapid follow-up observations of various astronomical transients and variables, covering optical to near-infrared wavelengths with high spectral resolution.

Contribution

This paper presents the final design phase of SOXS, a new spectrograph capable of simultaneous broad-band observations for transient follow-up.

Findings

Designed to observe transients with R~4500 resolution

Capable of covering 0.3-1.8 micron spectral range

Suitable for objects up to magnitude R~20 in 1 hour

Abstract

SOXS (Son Of X-Shooter) will be a spectrograph for the ESO NTT telescope capable to cover the optical and NIR bands, based on the heritage of the X-Shooter at the ESO-VLT. SOXS will be built and run by an international consortium, carrying out rapid and longer term Target of Opportunity requests on a variety of astronomical objects. SOXS will observe all kind of transient and variable sources from different surveys. These will be a mixture of fast alerts (e.g. gamma-ray bursts, gravitational waves, neutrino events), mid-term alerts (e.g. supernovae, X-ray transients), fixed time events (e.g. close-by passage of minor bodies). While the focus is on transients and variables, still there is a wide range of other astrophysical targets and science topics that will benefit from SOXS. The design foresees a spectrograph with a Resolution-Slit product ~ 4500, capable of simultaneously observing over the entire band the complete spectral range from the U- to the H-band. The limiting magnitude of R~20 (1 hr at S/N~10) is suited to study transients identified from on-going imaging surveys. Light imaging capabilities in the optical band (grizy) are also envisaged to allow for multi-band photometry of the faintest transients. This paper outlines the status of the project, now in Final Design Phase.