HighSpec Spectrograph Enhances Stellar Observation Capabilities

The HighSpec project has unveiled an updated design for a high-resolution spectrograph intended for the Multi Aperture Spectroscopic Telescope (MAST). This spectrograph, with a resolution of approximately 20,000, is designed to enhance the study of faint stellar objects, particularly white dwarfs (WDs), which are known for their low luminosity and limited spectroscopic lines.

HighSpec features three observing modes that focus on specific spectral lines: the Ca II H&K, the Mg b triplet, and the Hα lines. Each mode utilizes a highly optimized ion-etched grating, achieving a peak efficiency of over 85% for the Mg b and Hα bands, and around 55% for the Ca II H&K band. The design allows for a wavelength coverage of 10 to 17 nanometers, facilitating precise measurements of spectral lines from faint astronomical targets.

The integration of HighSpec with MAST, which consists of 20 custom-designed telescopes, allows it to operate as a single large telescope equivalent to a 2.7-meter telescope in collecting area. This configuration provides the capability to conduct extensive and effective spectroscopic campaigns across the sky.

Currently, HighSpec is in the final assembly and testing stages, with plans for on-sky commissioning scheduled for 2025. This advancement is expected to significantly contribute to the field of stellar astrophysics by enabling more detailed studies of faint stellar objects.

The findings and implications of this project are detailed in the paper titled "HighSpec: A High-Resolution Spectrograph for the MAST Telescope Array" by Yahel Sofer Rimalt and 14 co-authors, available on arXiv.