Status of the instrumentation program for the Giant Magellan Telescope

Abstract

Instrument development for the 25 m class optical/infrared Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is actively underway. Two instruments have begun their preliminary design phase: an optical (350-1000 nm) high resolution and precision radial velocity echelle spectrograph (G-CLEF), and a near-IR (YJHK) diffraction-limited imager/integral-field-spectrograph (GMTIFS). A third instrument will begin its design phase in early 2015: an optical (370-1000 nm) low-to-medium resolution multi-object spectrograph (GMACS). Two other instrument teams are focusing on prototypes to demonstrate final feasibility: a near-to-mid-IR (JHKLM) high resolution diffraction-limited echelle (GMTNIRS) spectrograph, and a facility robotic multi-fiber-feed (MANIFEST). A brief overview of the GMT instrumentation program is presented: current activities, progress, status, and schedule, as well as a summary of the facility infrastructure needed to support the instruments.