Autofib-2: commissioning results of a robotic multiobject fiber system for the William Herschel Telescope

Ian J. Lewis; Ray M. Sharples; Ian Robert Parry; Lewis R. Jones; Frederick G. Watson; Stuart A. Barker; Paul C. T. Rees

doi:10.1117/12.269022

21 March 1997 Autofib-2: commissioning results of a robotic multiobject fiber system for the William Herschel Telescope

Ian J. Lewis, Ray M. Sharples, Ian Robert Parry, Lewis R. Jones, Frederick G. Watson, Stuart A. Barker, Paul C. T. Rees

Proceedings Volume 2871, Optical Telescopes of Today and Tomorrow; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.269022
Event: Optical Telescopes of Today and Tomorrow, 1996, Landskrona/Hven, Sweden

Abstract

Autofib-2 is a robotic fiber system for the prime focus of the William Herschel telescope capable of placing up to 150 fibers in the 1 degree focal plane of the telescope. The fibers are fed to a purpose built spectrograph (WYFFOS) mounted on one of the Nasmyth platforms. Autofib-2 and WYFFOS are now entering a common user phase as fully commissioned instruments. We describe the novel techniques used to achieve the high precision in fiber placement delivered by this instrument and the quality control procedures devised to measure and monitor instrument stability. The characterization of the distortions of focal plane delivered by the prime focus corrector of the telescope was a vital procedure during the commissioning. We describe the methods of measuring these distortions and discuss the limitations of the instrument, telescope and astrometry.

Citation Download Citation

Ian J. Lewis, Ray M. Sharples, Ian Robert Parry, Lewis R. Jones, Frederick G. Watson, Stuart A. Barker, and Paul C. T. Rees "Autofib-2: commissioning results of a robotic multiobject fiber system for the William Herschel Telescope", Proc. SPIE 2871, Optical Telescopes of Today and Tomorrow, (21 March 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.269022

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