1999/06/04 by Miller, Bureau, de Zeeuw +11
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Spectroscopy and Laser Applications #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/9906091
4 pages, 2 figures, pasp3D.sty, to appear in "Imaging the Universe in Three Dimensions: Astrophysics with Advanced Multi-Wavelength Imaging Devices", eds. W. van Breugel, J. Bland-Hawthorn, ASP Conference Series
arxiv created 1999/06/04 · openalex publication_date 1999/06/04 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We present the first results from a new and unique integral-field spectrograph, SAURON. Based upon the TIGER concept, SAURON uses a lens array to obtain two-dimensional spectroscopy with complete spatial coverage over a field of 33"x41" in low-resolution mode (0.94" lenslets) and of 9"x11" in high-resolution mode (0.26" lenslets). The spectra cover the wavelengths from 4800A to 5400A with a spectral resolution of ~3A (sigma~75 km/s. SAURON achieved first light during commissioning on the William Herschel Telescope on 1 February 1999. We are now commencing a systematic survey of the velocity dispersions, velocity fields, and line-strength distributions of nearby ellipticals and spiral bulges. The wide field of SAURON will be crucial for unraveling complicated velocity structures. In combination with available long-slit spectroscopy of the outer regions of the galaxies, HST spectra of the nuclei, HST imaging, and dynamical modeling, we will constrain the intrinsic shapes, mass-to-light ratios, and stellar populations in spheroids.