MAROON-X: The first two years of EPRVs from Gemini North

TL;DR

MAROON-X is an optical spectrograph at Gemini North that has achieved sub-meter-per-second radial velocity precision over two years, enabling advanced exoplanet and stellar research.

Contribution

This paper reports the first two years of operational performance and technical achievements of MAROON-X, highlighting its high precision in radial velocity measurements.

Findings

Achieved sub-m/s radial velocity precision on sky

Instrumental noise floor at 30 cm/s level

Transitioned to second-most requested instrument on Gemini North

Abstract

MAROON-X is a fiber-fed, optical EPRV spectrograph at the 8-m Gemini North Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i. MAROON-X was commissioned as a visiting instrument in December 2019 and is in regular use since May 2020. Originally designed for RV observations of M-dwarfs, the instrument is used for a broad range of exoplanet and stellar science cases and has transitioned to be the second-most requested instrument on Gemini North over a number of semesters. We report here on the first two years of operations and radial velocity observations. MAROON-X regularly achieves sub-m/s RV performance on sky with a short-term instrumental noise floor at the 30 cm/s level. We will discuss various technical aspects in achieving this level of precision and how to further improve long-term performance