NIRSPEC or NIRI?

Two near-IR spectroscopic capabilities are available for the Gemini community in 2001. The choice of which to use, NIRSPEC on Keck or NIRI, may be driven by the scientific objectives of the program and other constraints.

The table below highlights some of their differences and may help in deciding. See the NIRI and NIRSPEC pages for more details.

NIRI	NIRSPEC
Slit length > 50 arcsec	Slit length 12-42 arcsec
Resolving power < 1500	Resolving power 1500-3000, and 15000-75000 with echelle
Complete coverage of individual atmospheric windows; one window per setting. Cannot adjust wavelength.	Coverage is 0.2 x central wavelength. Can set precise central wavelength.
Available long-term on Gemini North in queue and classical modes	Gemini access only in 2001A and 2001B for 3 nights/semester
Similar sensitivity when binned to NIRI resolution

Last update February 27, 2001 Tom Geballe and Phil Puxley