CIRPASS, the near-infrared integral field unit (IFU) spectrograph constructed
by the Institute of Astronomy (University of Cambridge), recently completed a
very successful 9-night Demonstration Science run on Gemini South under the
leadership of Ian Parry and Andrew Bunker (IoA). This
represents the first use of a near-IR IFU on an 8m-class telescope.
A number of science programs were conducted:
2D mapping the of the velocity structure emission line gas in the z=1.2 radio galaxy
3C324 (previously also observed with the GMOS IFU)
A study of star formation and kinematics in two z=1 galaxies using H-alpha
A deep survey of damped Lyman-alpha systems: two targets at z=1.5 at H-alpha, one at z=3
at [OII] (also previously observed with GMOS searching for Ly-alpha). It is
expected that after complete processing these data will produce a detection or the strongest limits to date on star formation in these systems.
A high signal-to-noise study of the Einstein cross q2237+03 (a lensed QSO at z=1.7), comparing the narrow and broad line components
in the four images to investigate "clumping" in the dark matter distribution of the foreground lensing galaxy.
A spatially-resolved study of a giant lensed arc at z=1.6 in [OII] and H-beta emission.
An investigation of young star clusters in NGC1140 to measure
the ages of several clusters in the central starburst region.
Measurement of velocity dispersions of Galactic star clusters (including M30, the quintuplet cluster,
and around Sgr-A).
During commissioning, observations of several bright targets were made for
system characterisation and calibrations, including: a partial map of the Eagle nebula
in multiple emission lines, the planetary nebula NGC6369, the planet Uranus,
and the SN1987a shells in Paschen-alpha.
The example data shown left is from the z=1.2
radio galaxy 3C324. (Dispersion runs horizontally, spatial direction
is vertical; each of the 500 IFU lenslets produces a spectrum 2 pixels
high).
The preliminary processing (basic sky subtraction and cosmic ray
rejection) of this single 20 minute exposure shows a very clear detection
of the [OIII]500.7nm emission line (centre of the frame).
As with all Gemini Demonstration Science data, it is intended that these
datasets will be made publicly available within 2 months. Further details will
be provided at that time.
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