Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) Macquarie’s AESOP device will provide astronomers optimal access to collect light from each star or galaxy for in-depth analysis.
An Australian-built major subsystem for the European Southern Observatory’s 4MOST instrument has arrived in Germany at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) ready for testing prior to installation on the four-metre VISTA telescope located in the Atacama Desert in Chile.
One of the core components of 4MOST is a fibre positioner, called AESOP (Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner), which was designed and built by the AAO Macquarie. Once installed, the fibre positioner will allow astronomers to measure the light from thousands of galaxies at a time.
Olga Bellido and Carlos Rodriguez Alvarez examine the unpacked electronics box in the AIP integration hall. Image credit: AIP.
With over 2448 optical fibre spines, AESOP Project Manager Scott Smedley says this echidna-like device allows the AESOP instrument to simultaneously position all of them to an accuracy of 10 micrometres (10 one-millionths of a metre) in one minute.
“AESOP is an incredibly powerful machine that will enable astronomers to map the Universe more than 10x faster than previously done before. Every single spine plays a vital role in receiving the faintest of light from galaxies or stars for further investigation,” said Mr Smedley.
AESOP forms a key part of the 4MOST instrument, a multi-national collaboration in which more than 300 scientists and engineers are building a multi-fibre feed instrument for the European Southern Observatory’s VISTA telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
Commencing operations in early 2024, 4MOST will be the largest spectroscopic survey facility of its kind in the Southern hemisphere, addressing today’s most pressing astronomical questions in the fields of Galactic archaeology, high-energy astrophysics, galaxy evolution and cosmology.
“AAO Macquarie is proud to engage and work closely with major observatories around the world like AIP to deliver innovative new instruments based on the new and emerging technologies, like AESOP that we are creating,” said Mr Smedley.