Recent and Upcoming Upgrades for MIRC-X and MYSTIC on the CHARA Array
Noura Ibrahim (1), Mayra Gutierrez (1), John D. Monnier (1), Stefan, Kraus (2), Jean-Baptiste Le Bouquin (3), Narsireddy Anugu (4), Theo ten, Brummelaar (4), Sorabh Chhabra (2), Isabelle Codron (2), Julien Dejonghe (5),, Aaron Labdon (6), Daniel Lecron (5), Daniel Mortimer (7)

TL;DR
This paper details recent and planned upgrades to the MIRC-X and MYSTIC instruments at the CHARA Array, aiming to enhance sensitivity, calibration, and observational capabilities for near-infrared interferometry.
Contribution
It introduces new hardware and software upgrades, including a motorized filter wheel, high spectral resolution modes, and a 6T ABCD mode, advancing the instruments' performance and scientific potential.
Findings
MYSTIC's ABCD mode has been successfully used on over 20 T Tauri stars.
Upgrades are expected to improve sensitivity by 0.4 mag in J+H and 1 mag in K bands.
New software developments will enhance data reduction and calibration routines.
Abstract
MIRC-X and MYSTIC are six-telescope near-infrared beam (1.08-2.38 m) combiners at the CHARA Array on Mt Wilson CA, USA. Ever since the commissioning of MIRC-X (J and H bands) in 2018 and MYSTIC (K bands) in 2021, they have been the most popular and over-subscribed instruments at the array. Observers have been able to image stellar objects with sensitivity down to 8.1 mag in H and 7.8 mag in K-band under the very best conditions. In 2022 MYSTIC was upgraded with a new ABCD mode using the VLTI/GRAVITY 4-beam integrated optics chip, with the goal of improving the sensitivity and calibration. The ABCD mode has been used to observe more than 20 T Tauri stars; however, the data pipeline is still being developed. Alongside software upgrades, we detail planned upgrades to both instruments in this paper. The main upgrades are: 1) Adding a motorized filter wheel to MIRC-X along with new…
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Taxonomy
TopicsRadio Astronomy Observations and Technology · Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena · Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
