SPECTRUMMATE: A Low-cost Spectrometer for Small Telescopes

TL;DR

SPECTRUMMATE is an affordable, compact spectrometer designed for small telescopes, enabling detailed visible spectrum analysis suitable for amateur astronomers and educational use.

Contribution

This paper introduces SPECTRUMMATE, a low-cost, modular spectrometer tailored for small telescopes with optimized optical design and high spectral resolution capabilities.

Findings

Successfully captured high-resolution spectra of bright sources

Demonstrated efficient spectral calibration and system compactness

Showcased modular design for customizable spectral range

Abstract

This project presents the development and implementation of a compact spectrometer, named SPECTRUMMATE, tailored for small telescopes. Small telescopes offer several advantages: they are cost-effective, occupy less space, and are simpler to set up than larger instruments. This makes them particularly suitable for amateur astronomers and educational institutions with limited resources. Moreover, small telescopes can effectively observe bright celestial objects, enabling valuable contributions to astronomical projects. Based on the Sol'EX design, SPECTRUMMATE was constructed using optical components available at the Space and Applications Laboratory (SpaceLAB), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam. The instrument is designed to meet the specific needs of astronomers who require detailed analysis within the visible spectrum (SPECTRUMMATE can capture a waveband of 368 angstrom/image, spectral coverage from 4000 to 6600 angstrom, and resolving power R = 2546 at 5500 angstrom). To achieve optimal performance, the design process involved selecting and configuring optical elements, including a collimator, diffraction grating, and objective lens. Experimental setups were tested to minimize spectral dispersion while ensuring the system's compactness and ease of alignment. Spectra obtained by SPECTRUMMATE demonstrated efficient spectral calibration and the capability to capture high-resolution spectra of bright light sources, such as the Sun, making it a valuable tool for specialised spectroscopic observations. The modular design of SPECTRUMMATE also allows users to change its components easily to achieve the desired spectral range and resolution.