Multi-purpose InSTRument for Astronomy at Low-resolution: MISTRAL@OHP

TL;DR

MISTRAL is a versatile low-resolution spectrograph and imager for the 1.93m telescope at Haute-Provence Observatory, capable of rapid operation and suitable for transient follow-up, with detailed performance metrics and initial scientific results.

Contribution

This paper introduces MISTRAL, a new multi-purpose instrument for low-resolution spectroscopy and imaging, highlighting its design, operational modes, and performance for the first time.

Findings

Achieves a spectral resolution of 700 with 22% efficiency at 6000A.

Reaches limiting magnitudes of 19.5 in spectroscopy and 20-21 in imaging.

Successfully used for follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts and other transient objects.

Abstract

MISTRAL is the new Faint Object Spectroscopic Camera mounted at the folded Cassegrain focus of the 1.93m telescope of Haute-Provence Observatory. We describe the design and components of the instrument and give some details about its operation. We emphasise in particular the various observing modes and the performances of the detector. A short description is also given about the working environment. Various types of objects, including stars, nebulae, comets, novae, galaxies have been observed during various test phases to evaluate the performances of the instrument. The instrument covers the range of 4000 to 8000A with the blue setting, or from 6000 to 10000A with the red setting, at an average spectral resolution of 700. Its peak efficiency is about 22% at 6000A. In spectroscopy, a limiting magnitude of 19.5 can be achieved for a point source in one hour with a signal to noise of 3 in the continuum (and better if emission lines are present). In imaging mode, limiting magnitudes of 20-21 can be obtained in 10-20mn (with average seing conditions of 2.5 arcsec at OHP). The instrument is very users-friendly and can be put into operations in less than 15mn (rapid change-over from the other instrument in use) if required by the science (like for Gamma-Rays Bursts). Some first scientific results are described for various types of objects, and in particular for the follow-up of GRBs. While some further improvements are still under way, in particular to ease the switch from blue to red setting and add more grisms or filters, MISTRAL is ready for the follow-up of transients and other variable objects, in the soon-to-come era of e.g. the SVOM satellite and of the Rubin telescope.