Multi-Fibre Spectroscopy with Schmidt Telescopes

Abstract

AbstractLarge Schmidt telescopes are peculiarly well-suited to multifibre spectroscopy. The extent to which the small aperture is compensated by the wide field is illustrated by the fact that the total photon throughput of the 1.2 m UK Schmidt Telescope (UKST) is almost identical to that of the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) in its new 2-degree field (2dF) mode. In the implementation of the technique, Schmidt telescopes have a number of practical advantages, while there is no shortage of scientific problems that can be addressed. However, the instrumentation required to capitalize fully on this potential is costly and, because Schmidts are perceived as “small” telescopes with a specialist following, the required funding is likely to remain elusive.