T-ReCS and Michelle: The Mid-Infrared Spectroscopic Capabilities of the Gemini Observatory

Gemini Observatory’s northern and southern telescopes are both presently being outfitted with facility mid-infrared imagers/spectrometers. This will allow observers the unique opportunity to apply to one observatory for all-sky spectroscopic access in the mid-infrared with the light gathering power of 8-meter telescopes. Gemini South has recently commissioned the Thermal-Region Camera and Spectrograph (T-ReCS) and is now available to perform queue observations for the community. TReCS is capable of low-resolution long-slit spectroscopy of R ~ 100 near 10 and 20 μm, and medium-resolution long-slit spectroscopy of R ~ 1000 near 10 μm. Gemini North is presently commissioning Michelle, which will be capable of low-, medium-, and highresolution long-slit spectroscopy of R ~ 200, 1000, and 3000, respectively, near 10 μm, as well as low-resolution long-slit spectroscopy of R ~ 200 near 20 μm. Michelle can also perform echelle spectroscopy of R ~ 30000 at 10 and 20 μm. The low-, medium-, and high-resolution spectroscopic modes of Michelle will be available to the public for the fall semester of 2004, and the echelle mode is expected to be available in 2005.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Gemini Observatory, Southern Operations Center, Casilla 603 La Serena, Chile

   James M. De Buizer

2. Gemini Observatory, Northern Operations Center, 670 N. A’ohoku Place, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, USA

   R. Scott Fisher

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