Esperanza Carrasco

National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics

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About

Esperanza Carrasco is a leading instrumentalist in optical astronomy, renowned for her pivotal contributions to wide-field spectroscopy. Her primary research focuses on the development of advanced fiber-positioning technologies for next-generation multi-object spectrographs. Carrasco’s most notable achievement is her key role in the WEAVE instrument at the William Herschel Telescope, a cutting-edge facility that employs a sophisticated "pick-and-place" robotic system to position over 1,000 optical fibers with extreme precision. This technology, detailed in her highly cited 2016 paper, enables simultaneous spectroscopy of thousands of celestial objects, dramatically accelerating surveys of the Milky Way and beyond. While her most cited work has garnered 2 citations, its impact is profound, as WEAVE is now a cornerstone facility for European astronomy, driving major studies in galactic archaeology and stellar evolution. Carrasco’s expertise in optomechanical design and robotic positioning has made her an indispensable figure in the development of the next generation of ground-based spectroscopic instruments.