Near-UV Spectroscopy with the VLT

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential development of a high-throughput, medium-resolution spectrograph operating between 300 and 400 nm at the VLT, aimed at complementing the E-ELT in the near-UV range for various scientific applications.

Contribution

It presents a concept study and scientific motivation for a blue-optimised spectrograph at the VLT, highlighting its potential to address science cases in the near-UV spectrum.

Findings

Concept design for a 300-400 nm spectrograph at VLT

Potential scientific applications in Galactic and extragalactic research

Feasibility of construction within the next few years

Abstract

The 39-meter European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) is expected to have very low throughput in the blue part of the visible spectrum. Because of that, a blue-optimised spectrograph at the 8-meter Very Large Telescope could potentially be competitive against the E-ELT at wavelengths shorter than 400 nm. A concept study for such an instrument was concluded in 2012. This would be a high-throughput, medium resolution (R $\sim$ 20\,000) spectrograph, operating between 300 and 400 nm. It is currently expected that construction of this instrument will start in the next few years. In this contribution, I present a summary of the instrument concept and of some of the possible Galactic and extragalactic science cases that motivate such a spectrograph.