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TMT
IRIS (InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph)

IRIS (InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph) is the first light instrument designed to work with the adaptive optics system (NFIRAOS) for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). IRIS offers a powerful ensuite instrument with both a near-infrared imager an integral field spectrograph (IFS) optimized to work at the diffration limit of this giant telescope. The IFS will provide moderate resolution (R ~ 4000 – 10,000) spectra over a continuous spatial field, and both the IFS and image will operate in parallel in the wavelength region from 0.84 µm to 2.4 µm.

IRIS will provide unprecedented angular resolution and sensitivity to provide revolutionary science opportunities across the entire cosmic distance scales. The imager will offer ground breaking sensitivity and provide the sharpest infrared images ever taken with exquisite astrometric precision. In parallel imaging during long spectrographic exposures, the camera will produce some of the deepest images of the cosmologically distant Universe at an unprecedented plate scale of 4 milliarcseconds. IRIS has a broad breadth of science ranging from characterizing the first stars igniting after the Big Bang to studying the detailed surface chemistry of Solar System objects.

Want to learn more?
WEBSITE
Visit the IRIS website.
CONTACT LEADS

James Larkin, UCLA, larkin@astro.ucla.edu, Principal Investigator

Shelley Wright, UC San Diego, saw@physics.ucsd.edu, Project Scientist

Renate Kupke, UC Santa Cruz, rkupke@ucolick.org, Lead Optical Engineer

Eric Chisholm, TMT, chisholm@tmt.org, Project Manager

DONATE
Thank you for considering a gift to support LIGER! To learn more about making a gift to this project or others at UC Observatories, contact Chief Development Officer, Natasha Pedroza, by email at npedroza@ucolick.org or by phone at 831-459-3455.