Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph (GHOST) at Gemini South: Instrument Performance and Integration, First Science, and Next Steps
V. M. Kalari, Rubén Díaz, J. G. Robertson, Alan W. McConnachie, Michael Ireland, R. Salinas, P. Young, Chris Simpson, Christian R. Hayes, Jon Nielsen, Greg Burley, John Pazder, Manuel Gómez-Jiménez, Eder Martioli, Steve B. Howell, Miji Jeong, S. Juneau, Roque Ruiz-Carmona, S. Margheim, Andrew Sheinis, André Anthony, Gregory S. Baker, Trystyn A. M. Berg, Tian-Wen Cao, E. Chapin, Tat-Jun Chin, Kristin Chiboucas, Vladimir Churilov, Emily Deibert, A. Densmore, Jennifer B. Dunn, Michael L. Edgar, Jeong‐Eun Heo, David K. Henderson, Tony Farrell, J. Font, V. Firpo, J. Fuentes, Kathleen Labrie, S. B. Lambert, Jon Lawrence, Jordan Lothrop, Richard M. McDermid, Bryan W. Miller, Gabriel Pérez, Vinicius M. Placco, Pablo J. Prado, Carlos Quiroz, Francisco Ramos, R. J. Rutten, K. M. G. Silva, J. Thomas-Osip, Cristian Urrutia, William D. Vacca, Kim A. Venn, Fletcher Waller, Lewis Waller, Marc White, Siyi Xu, Ross Zhelem
Abstract
Abstract The Gemini South telescope is now equipped with a new high-resolution spectrograph called the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST). This instrument provides high-efficiency, high-resolution spectra covering 347–1060 nm in a single exposure of either one or two targets simultaneously, along with precision radial velocity spectroscopy utilizing an internal calibration source. It can operate at a spectral element resolving power of either 76,000 or 56,000, and can reach a signal-to-noise ratio of ∼5 in a 1 hr exposure on a V ∼ 20.8 mag target in median site seeing and dark skies (per resolution element). GHOST was installed on-site in 2022 June, and we report performance after full integration to queue operations in 2023 November, in addition to scientific results enabled by the integration observing runs. These results demonstrate the ability to observe a wide variety of bright and faint targets with high efficiency and precision. With GHOST, new avenues to explore high-resolution spectroscopy have opened up to the astronomical community. These are described, along with the planned and potential upgrades to the instrument.