Extremely Large Telescope

Abstract:

With the advent of efficient near-IR spectrometers on 10m-class telescopes, exploiting the new generation of low readout noise, large format detectors, OH avoidance and sub-arcsecond seeing, 1-2.4mum spectroscopy can now be exploited for detailed galaxy dynamics and for studies of high-z galaxies. In the following we present the results of three recent IR spectroscopy studies on the dynamics of ULIRG mergers, on super star clusters in the Antennae, and on the properties of the rotation curves of zsimilar to1 disk galaxies, carried out with ISAAC on the VLT, and NIRSPEC on the Keck.

Abstract:

The first of two Gemini Multi Object Spectrographs (GMOS) has recently begun operation at the Gemini-North 8m telescope. In this presentation we give an overview of the instrument and describe the overall performance of GMOS-North both in the laboratory during integration, and at the telescope during commissioning. We. describe the development process which led to meeting the demanding reliability and performance requirements on flexure, throughput and image quality. We then show examples of GMOS data and performance on the telescope in its imaging, long-slit and MOS modes. We also briefly highlight novel features in GMOS that are described in more detail in separate presentations, particularly the flexure compensation system and the on-instrument wavefront sensor. Finally we give an update of the current status of GMOS on Gemini-North and future plans.