Kast Double Spectrograph User's Manual: Introduction

Introduction

The Kast Double Spectrograph is used at the cassegrain focus of the Shane 3-m Telescope. It is two separate spectrographs - one optimized for the red, the other for blue - housed in a single structure and having some components in common. Each side offers a selection of dispersive elements for various resolutions and dispersions, and both are also capable of direct imaging over a limited field. Dichroic beamsplitters and separate CCD detectors allow simultaneous observations in red and blue. Both sides are operated from a single interface. A polarimeter is also available for spectropolarimetry observations.

News:
During September 2008, a Fairchild 2kx2k CCD was installed on the blue side. The control electronics for both the red and blue side CCDs were updated as well as the data-taking software. All observers (new and experienced) must be checked out by a support astronomer (sa@ucolick.org) on the afternoon of the first observing night after Sept 2008.

The Kast has been in operations since early 1992. It was designed by Dr. Joseph Miller (UCSC) and built in the Lick Observatory shops. The instrument was made possible by a generous gift from William and Marina Kast.

Much of the material presented here is taken nearly verbatim from Lick Observatory Technical Reports No. 66, The Kast Double Spectrograph, by Joseph Miller and Remington Stone, with updated sections and additional material contributed by the technical staff on Mount Hamilton.

The Kast Spectrograph is available to the University of California astronomical community by subscription.
Follow these links to:

3-m Time Allocation Policy
Observing Time Request Forms

All new users must be checked out by a resident astronomer on their first night. Please request support on your time application.

Please direct questions to a Mount Hamilton support astronomer, sa@ucolick.org.

User's Guide to the Kast Double Spectrograph

Table of Contents

Introduction