Instrumentation Development

 
 

I am the Project Scientist for the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE). MSE is a fully dedicated, 11.25m aperture, wide field (1.5 sq. degree) spectroscopic survey telescope capable of observing 3400 objects per field operating at spectral resolutions of R~3000, 6500 and 40000. It will be the premier facility for spectroscopic observations at OIR wavelengths for the 2020s and beyond. MSE will redevelop the site currently occupied by the 3.6m CFHT and will use much of the existing infrastructure, including the building and piers. As of Summer 2015, the MSE collaboration includes Australia, Canada, China, France, Hawaii and India.


Link to the MSE Website

 

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer

I am Principle Investigator of MOVIES, a proposed Generation 4 instrument for the Gemini Observatories. MOVIES is a broad bandwidth, moderate resolution (R3 – 10K) dual arm optical and near infrared (NIR) échelle spectrograph that simultaneously covers 0.36 – 2.45μm. It is supported by a rapid acquisition camera operating simultaneously in two optical and one NIR bands. MOVIES is designed for obtaining spectra of the faint Universe with high throughput, high efficiency and high reliability. The Feasibility Study for this instrument was conducted from March - August 2015.

The Montreal Ohio Victoria Echelle Spectrograph

I am co-convenor (with Annapurni Subramanian) of the TMT International Science Development Team on the topic of “the Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies”. The team, with over 40 members, has helped write the 2015 version of the TMT Detailed Science Case, and develop key program concepts for the facility. The ISDTs help prepare the international community to best use TMT for their science, and are critical to providing scientific input that shapes the observatory's capabilities, operations plans, and future directions.


Link to the TMT Website

Link to the TMT ISDT pages

Science Programs for the Thirty Meter Telescope

I am the Canadian member of the Science Team for GHOST, the new high resolution optical spectrograph being built for the Gemini Observatories, with first light due in 2018. GHOST is a fiber fed instrument that provides complete and simultaneous coverage of the optical spectrum (360 - 950nm) at spectral resolutions of R~50000 and R~75000.


Previously, I was Project Scientist for an earlier proposed version of GHOST (called GHOS) that underwent a successful Conceptual Design.

 

The Gemini High Resolution Optical Spectrograph

I am the Canadian contact scientist for early science development for a Ground Layer Adaptive Optics (GLAO) system at Subaru. ULTIMATE is a proposed bright-time facility-class instrument/infrastructure for the Subaru telescope in the era of HyperSuprimeCam and the Prime Focus Spectrograph (which together will account for all the dark time on Subaru).


At this early phase in the project, Japanese and Canadian astronomers are developing science cases for near infrared wide-field imaging along with multi-object IFU capabilities, both being fed with the exquisite “super-seeing” image quality delivered by GLAO.

ULTIMATE Subaru: Ground Layer Adaptive Optics

In response to an announcement of opportunity by CFHT in 2013, I was the Principle Investigator for a successful proposal to buy a suite of new large format filters for MegaCam, including narrow band CaH&K, Halpha (on-and-off), OIII (on-and off), broad u, and a superbroad red filter for observations of faint Kuiper Belt Objects. In addition, new griz filters were also purchased, for a total expenditure of >CAD500K. These filters are now in regular science operation at CFHT after successful commissioning in Fall 2014.

Expanding the Filter Suite for CFHT

A major focus of my astronomy interests are in relation to the development of next generation capabilities for Canadian and international astronomy, particularly at optical and infrared (OIR) wavelengths. In general, I am most interested in any novel ideas that allow for new science to be done that is not otherwise possible using existing instruments, even if these are in areas that are not my primary research interests. My focus of late is in the development of infrastructure and instrumentation for the Maunakea Observatories, where the majority of Canada’s ground-based OIR resources are based.


I am always eager to work with students interested in science-driven instrumentation development. Some of my current and recent instrumentation development activities are summarised below.