Next-generation instrumentation for the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres: HISPEC with Ben Sappey (Oxy '19)
Ben Sappey (Oxy '19) will join us to present an overview of the HISPEC instrument, examples of science being done with similar precursor instruments, and an update on the testing of the calibration subsystem with the Palomar Radial Velocity Instrument at Palomar Observatory.
The High-Resolution Infrared Spectrograph for Exoplanet Characterization (HISPEC) is a new instrument for the W. M. Keck Observatory. HISPEC is designed to enable several exoplanet detection and characterization methods: precision radial velocity, transit spectroscopy, direct spectroscopy and fiber nulling interferometry.
The instrument is a collaboration between UC San Diego, UC Los Angeles, Caltech, Northwestern, the Astrobiology Center, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is now in full-scale development with all sub-systems being built and tested in the laboratory.
