Universal focal reducer for small telescopes

TL;DR

This paper introduces two new instruments, StoP and MAGIC, tested on a small 1-meter telescope, enhancing capabilities for AGN studies through photometry, polarimetry, and spectroscopy with high accuracy.

Contribution

The paper presents the design, testing, and first results of the innovative StoP polarimeter and MAGIC focal reducer for small telescopes, expanding observational options.

Findings

Photometry accuracy better than 0.01 mag

Polarization accuracy better than 0.6%

Spectral range 4000-7200AA with 2A/px dispersion

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the memory of Dr. Victor Afanasiev and his immense legacy. The report highlights the capabilities of two new instruments tested at the 1-meter Zeiss-1000 telescope of SAO RAS: the Stokes Polarimeter (StoP) and the MAGIC focal reducer. Optimized for the study of active galactic nuclei (AGN), methodically, these instruments are suitable for a wide range of small telescope tasks. The fields of view of StoP and MAGIC are 6' and 13' for direct images, respectively. The StoP device allows one to conduct photometric observations and polarimetric ones with a double Wollaston prism; the spectral mode was added to MAGIC. For a starlike target up to 14 mag in medium-band filters with a seeing of 1" for 20 minutes of total exposure, the photometry accuracy is better than 0.01 mag and the polarization accuracy is better than 0.6%. The available spectral range obtained with the volume phase holographic grating in MAGIC is 4000-7200AA with a dispersion of 2A/px. StoP and MAGIC received the first light in 2020 and are used in test mode at the Zeiss-1000. The report discusses the first results obtained by the authors with new instruments, as well as further prospects