SPIRou: nIR velocimetry & spectropolarimetry at the CFHT
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of SPIRou, the new-generation near-infrared spectropolarimeter / precision velocimeter recently installed on the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). Starting from the two main science goals, namely the quest for planetary systems around nearby M dwarfs and the study of magnetized star / planet formation, we outline the instrument concept that was designed to efficiently address these forefront topics, and detail the in-lab and on-sky instrument performances measured throughout the intensive testing phase that SPIRou was submitted to before passing the final acceptance review in early 2019 and initiating science observations. With a central position among the newly started programmes, the SPIRou Legacy Survey (SLS) Large Programme was allocated 300 CFHT nights until at least mid 2022. We also briefly describe a few of the first results obtained in the various science topics that SPIRou started investigating, focusing in particular on planetary systems of nearby M dwarfs, transiting exoplanets and their atmospheres, magnetic fields of young stars, but also on alternate science goals like the atmospheres of M dwarfs and the Earth's atmosphere. We finally conclude on the essential role that SPIRou and the CFHT can play in coordination with forthcoming major facilities like the JWST, the ELTs, PLATO and ARIEL over the decade.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2008.08949,
title = {SPIRou: nIR velocimetry & spectropolarimetry at the CFHT},
author = {J. -F. Donati and D. Kouach and C. Moutou and R. Doyon and X. Delfosse and E. Artigau and S. Baratchart and M. Lacombe and G. Barrick and G. Hebrard and F. Bouchy and L. Saddlemyer and L. Pares and P. Rabou and Y. Micheau and F. Dolon and V. Reshetov and Z. Challita and A. Carmona and N. Striebig and S. Thibault and E. Martioli and N. Cook and P. Fouque and T. Vermeulen and S. Y. Wang and L. Arnold and F. Pepe and I. Boisse and P. Figueira and J. Bouvier and T. P. Ray and C. Feugeade and J. Morin and S. Alencar and M. Hobson and B. Castilho and S. Udry and N. C. Santos and O. Hernandez and T. Benedict and P. Vallee and G. Gallou and M. Dupieux and M. Larrieu and S. Perruchot and R. Sottile and F. Moreau and C. Usher and M. Baril and F. Wildi and B. Chazelas and L. Malo and X. Bonfils and D. Loop and D. Kerley and I. Wevers and J. Dunn and J. Pazder and S. Macdonald and B. Dubois and E. Carrie and H. Valentin and F. Henault and C. H. Yan and T. Steinmetz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2008.08949},
year = {2020}
}
Comments
MNRAS, in press (20 pages, 18 figures, 1 table)