The Filter Box (FB) is one of the several subsystems that compose the Many Instrument Fiber System (MANIFEST) of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). With this filtering system, MANIFEST will be integrated to the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) to efficiently fill it with valuable data from multiple targets. As the FB follows strict requirements flow-down from MANIFEST’s facilities, it is suitable for it to be designed from the outset in a manner that avoids the use of commercial-of-the-shelf filter systems. Hence, this paper presents the optical and mechanical FB conceptual designs, having its operation modes divided into three categories (A, B and C) comprising three, 21 and 54 single light sources of different wavelength coverages. The results show that an enhanced optical throughput is achieved when such sources (optical fibers) are attached to rod-like optical elements, denoted as Rod-lenses, and coupled into U-shaped mechanical lens cells, while following accessible manufacturing tolerances.
In the advent of astronomical facilities to observe multiple sources in a single observation it is necessary to automate innovative strategies that select targets in an optimal way to make the most of telescope time, the tip-end of new scientific discoveries on astronomy. Meeting this need, we developed an Exposure Time Calculator (ETC) Extension for Multi-Object Observation (EMOO) to be used with MANIFEST, a fiber positioning facility for the GMT. The code is currently built upon the ETC of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF), a first-light instrument for the GMT, which is serving as a base test model for the results presented in this work. This new capability must be able to deliver the maximum Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) for each target, balanced within a range provided by the user, with no saturation and in a limited amount of time. That means an optimal exposure time must be partitioned between a minimal number of observations blocks, always letting enough time to fulfill the requirements in all blocks. In order to mitigate the impact of unnecessary simulations our algorithm is inspired by binary searching routines and the results, compared to the classical approach, show that we can deliver a more uniform and higher SNR distribution across an optimal set of observations. In other words, we increased the SNR by decreasing the observation time.
The discovery of a fair sample of Earth-analogues (Earth 2.0’s), i.e. rocky, Earth-mass exoplanets orbiting a Solar-type star in that host star’s habitable zone, and a subsequent search of evidence of bioactivity on those Earth 2.0’s by the detection of biogenically produced molecules in those exoplanetary atmospheres, are two of the most urgent observational programs in astrophysics and science in general. To identify an Earth 2.0, it is necessary to measure the reflex motion radial velocity amplitude of the host star at the 10 cm/sec level, a precision considerably below that which is currently achievable with existing instruments. The follow-on project to search for the biomarkers in an Earth 2.0’s atmosphere may require an effective planet/star contrast of 10-10, again well below the currently achievable level. In this paper, we discuss technical innovations in the implementation of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) spectrograph that will enable these observational objectives. We discuss plans to operate G-CLEF at the Magellan Clay telescope with the MagAO-X adaptive optics system and subsequently with GMagAO-X at the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).
MANIFEST is a fibre-fed positioning system designed to enhance the capabilities of the 24.5m Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). For the first light 14 arcmin field-of-view (FoV), MANIFEST will use the GMT’s current planned instruments: G-CLEF (an echelle resolution spectrograph) and GMACS (low/mid resolution spectrograph). MANIFEST will connect with these existing optical spectrographs and offer three multiplexing and deployable integral field unit (IFU) modes. In the future, a full 20′ FoV mode will be offered using a near-infrared spectrograph. Its unique features include high multiplexing, deployable IFUs, increased spectral resolution, and the potential for simultaneous observations with multiple instruments. MANIFEST will support four key science cases: galactic archaeology, dynamical masses of local dwarf galaxies, galaxy stellar kinematics, and unveiling the reionisation epoch with Lyα. In addition, simulations comparing Starbugs, pick-and-place, Starspines, and Theta-phi positioning technologies determined that the pick-and-place robotic solution offers optimal performance, reliability, and adaptability while minimising technical risk with off-the-shelf components. MANIFEST’s advanced capabilities will ensure efficient survey operations and maximise scientific output, making it a pivotal tool for the GMT.
The Many Instrument Fiber System (MANIFEST) is a facility fiber system for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). MANIFEST will be capable of feeding current and upcoming GMT instruments light from the telescopes full 20-arcmin field of view. The MANIFEST concept uses “Starbugs” – self-motile fiber heads deployed on a glass plate. MANIFEST will enhance the capabilities of different optical and near-infrared spectrographs at the GMT by feeding fibres and providing simultaneous observations. We have so far developed 15 science cases for MANIFEST which are listed under five broad science themes. Many science cases from galactic surveys, nearby galaxy surveys, intergalactic medium tomography, and spatially resolved studies of distant universe are of interest. These science cases drive the instrument requirements, modes of observations, and operation conditions for MANIFEST. Defined from the science cases, MANIFEST offers nine different modes of observations including high multiplexing, multiple and high sensitivity integral-field spectroscopy, polarimetry, and near-infrared spectroscopy. We discuss in this paper the latest developments of GMT/MANIFEST.
This paper describes the deployment of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) at the Clay telescope, one of the two Magellan telescopes, in late 2025, moving to the GMT in 2030. G-CLEF is a fiber-fed, ultra-high stability optical band echelle spectrograph designed for extremely precise stellar radial velocity measurement. On the Magellan Clay telescope, G-CLEF will take spectra with resolution up to ~300,000, fully resolving molecular spectral features and opening totally new discovery space for exoplanet atmosphere composition studies. G@M will also be coupled to the Magellan extreme adaptive optics facility, MagAO-X which will allow it to spatially resolve several exoplanets from their host stars. We provide a system description of the G@M instrument as it will be configured at Magellan. A top-level review of optomechanics, electronics and control systems follows, as well as a description of several risk-reduction exercises the team has undertaken.
KEYWORDS: Prototyping, Interfaces, Telescopes, Structured optical fibers, Green fluorescent protein, Systems engineering, Glasses, Electronics, Manufacturing, Control systems design
Appropriate project costing for astronomy instrumentation in early phases is pivotal to support the process of acquiring suitable funding. It also sustains the effective project cost management and increases the chances of project success. The absence of a clear method to project costing in the industry might lead projects to be undertaken at below cost at the risk of compromising quality and performance, eventually resulting in onerous cost overruns, and in worst cases, in failure and loss of reputation. This paper explores the use of techniques from the Project Management Body of Knowledge PMBOK applied to the cost estimate from conceptual design through to completion of one of instruments proposed for the Giant Magellan Telescope: MANIFEST, a robotic multi-fibre positioner that enhances the capabilities of other instruments in the telescope and enables the use of the telescope’s full field of view. Whilst the accuracy of the cost estimate results cannot be asserted until the project reaches more maturity, the MANIFEST cost estimate has proven to be a useful tool for cost control, more efficient resource allocation and forecast, and decision enabling during the MANIFEST Conceptual Design Phase 1. The cost basis of estimate used establishes the starting point to measure the project costing efficacy and the baseline required for the future program costing updates.
We present the work on applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to the conceptual design of the MANIFEST multi-object fiber positioner for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). We use MBSE early in the system lifecycle to help identify and document the MANIFEST system characteristics. The application of MBSE allows the discovery of potential problems and their solutions. In addition, the MBSE facilitates managing complexity, reducing technical risk, and performing risk analyses. First, we report the benefits of the modeling process in capturing the problem domain model and stakeholder needs. Then, present the model framework, systems modeling language, and software tool to accomplish our goals for MANIFEST. Next, we report on the MANIFEST architectural products, the structural and functional elements, associated mappings, and relationships, including the interfaces between subsystems and external systems. Then we discuss the model presentation and report generation to communicate design aspects to stakeholders. Finally, we conclude with remarks about the effectiveness of the MBSE approach for the MANIFEST conceptual design.
MANIFEST is a multi-object fibre positioner for the Giant Magellan Telescope that uses ‘Starbug’ robots to accurately position fibre units across the telescope’s focal plane. MANIFEST, when coupled to the telescope’s planned seeing-limited instruments, GMACS and GCLEF, offers access to: larger fields of view; higher multiplex gains; versatile focal plane reformatting of the focal plane via multiple integral-field-units; increased spectral resolution using image-slicers; the capability for simultaneous observations with multiple instruments; the possibility of a gravity-invariant spectrograph mounting; the potential for OH suppression via fiber systems in the near-infrared; and the versatility of adding new instruments in the future. We have now completed the pre-concept phase for MANIFEST. This phase has focused on developing the science case and requirements, further developing high risk aspects of the instrument design, designing the opto-mechanical interfaces to the GMACS and GCLEF instruments, and detailing the interfaces to the GMT.
Large or complex systems tend to be challenging when it comes to managing their project and construction while keeping the costs at an acceptable level. Systems Engineering aims not only to reduce that difficulty by systematically owing down the top-level user needs to the bottom level parts specification, but also by describing the full aspects of its lifecycle. Moreover, together with Systems Management, they aid the completion of intricated projects, such as professional telescopes. This paper shows how Systems Engineering and Systems Management are helping the construction of one important instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope: MANIFEST, which is a robotic fiber-optic positioning system that improves the capabilities of other instruments in the telescope. It can increase and even split their field of view into two or more instruments. Its Operations Concept is briefly explained, and the flowdown from the Observatory Architecture and the Science Cases, with their corresponding Science Requirements, is presented. Interfaces with other equally important instruments are described, such as GMACS, a wide-field multi-object moderate-resolution optical spectrograph, and G-CLEF, a high-stability, high-resolution, echelle spectrograph operating in the visible range of the spectrum. Managerial aspects of the processes and documents involved are also explained, as well as the next steps for the incoming Conceptual Design phase.
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