Related papers: Taurus Tunable Filter -- seven years of observing
The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes is completing a strategic change for the scientific use of its two telescopes, the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) and the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT). After more than 30 years operating as…
The Cambridge Infra-red Panoramic Survey Spectrograph (CIRPASS) is described. This near-infrared (NIR) spectrograph has been used on the 8m Gemini-South Telescope, the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and the 4.2m William Herschel…
The Herschel SPIRE instrument consists of an imaging photometric camera and an imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), both operating over a frequency range of 450-1550 GHz. In this paper, we briefly review the FTS design, operation,…
This paper discusses some of the challenges of spectro-polarimetric observations with a large aperture solar telescope such as the ATST or the EST. The observer needs to reach a compromise among spatial and spectral resolution, time…
We use 1-m class telescopes and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to explore the photometric variability of all known rapidly rotating ($v\sin{i}\gtrsim30$ km\,s$^{-1}$) ultra-cool ($\geq$M7) dwarfs brighter than…
The performance of adaptive optics systems is partially dependant on the algorithms used within the real-time control system to compute wavefront slope measurements. We demonstrate use of a matched filter algorithm for the processing of…
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) first light instrument IRIS (Infrared Imaging Spectrograph) will complete its preliminary design phase in 2016. The IRIS instrument design includes a near-infrared (0.85 - 2.4 micron) integral field…
We present the design of, and a first analysis of data from, the atmospheric seeing monitor at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The seeing monitor has been operational almost continuously since May 2004 and every 10min delivers…
The Large Binocular Telescope, with its expansive collecting area, angular resolving power, and advanced optical design, provides a robust platform for development and operation of advanced instrumentation for astronomical research. The LBT…
We present an analysis of the relative throughputs of the 3.9-metre Anglo-Australian Telescope's 2dF/HERMES system, based upon spectra acquired during the first two years of the GALAH survey. Averaged spectral fluxes of stars were compared…
We present an analysis of polarimetric observations of standard stars performed over the period of more than three years with the RINGO3 polarimeter mounted on the Liverpool Telescope. The main objective was to determine the instrumental…
Femtosecond Laser Micromachining (FLM) is a powerful technology for the fabrication of photonic devices. In this context, the integration of resonant elements within the platform represents a key advancement, enhancing both its versatility…
Tunable narrowband spectral filters with high light throughput and wide dynamic range have remarkable applications such as in optical communications, optical spectroscopy and spectral imaging. However, a cost is usually associated with the…
Planned instruments utilising multi-object adaptive optics systems on the forthcoming extremely large telescopes require large numbers of high order deformable mirrors. These devices are a significant cost driver, particularly if…
The need for both high quality images and lightweight structures is one of the main drivers in space telescope design. An efficient wavefront control system will become mandatory in future large observatories, retaining performance while…
The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) is a fully-automated, wide-field survey aimed at a systematic exploration of the optical transient sky. The transient survey is performed using a new 8.1 square degree camera installed on the 48-inch…
A FRAM (F/(Ph)otometric Robotic Atmospheric Monitor) telescope is a system of a robotic mount, a large-format CCD camera and a fast telephoto lens that can be used for atmospheric monitoring at any site when information about the…
The tunable gamma-ray lens has turned out to be a promising alternative to the classical fixed-energy Laue-lenses discussed in the past. We describe here our development work on a miniature pedestal with one-axis tilt adjustment. We also…
We present two novel designs for a telescope suitable for massively-multiplexed spectroscopy. The first is a very wide field Cassegrain telescope optimised for fibre feeding. It provides a Field Of View (FOV) of 2.5 degrees diameter with a…
A single tunable filter simplifies complexity, reduces insertion loss, and minimizes size compared to frequency switchable filter banks commonly used for radio frequency (RF) band selection. Magnetostatic wave (MSW) filters stand out for…