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6dF: The new automated multi-object fibre-optic spectroscopy system on the UKST

Summary

Principal features of 6dF

The 6dF K-selected redshift survey

The 6dF peculiar velocity survey

The roles of the AAO and WFAU

Other uses of 6dF

Expected 6dF performance

6dF News

Applying for 6dF time

Current FLAIR allocations and schedule

SUMMARY

6dF is the fully automated, pick-place, magnetic button fibre positioning system being built for the UK Schmidt Telescope (UKST) at the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO). This facility, which replaces the soon to be decommissioned FLAIR system, is now nearing completion. 6dF will for the first time offer the capability for full hemisphere spectroscopic surveys at the UKST. The Wide-Field Astronomy Unit (WFAU) and Institute for Astronomy (IfA) are at the forefront in the scientific exploitation of this new instrument and the WFAU will also be a principal repository for the resultant survey data products. An extended 6dF commissioning period is due to begin during the latter half of 2000.

Principal features of 6dF

6dF (for 6-degree field) is an AAO project to create an automated fibre positioner and multi-object spectroscopic observing facility for the UKST. The positioner, like the FLAIR facility that it replaces (and unlike 2dF) operates off telescope in a special enclosure in the dome.

A rendered solid of the 6dF fibre positioner is shown here in Figure.1

6dF system outline:

  • Robotic r-theta positioning system with radial arm
  • Two interchangeable field plates each with 150 target fibres of 6.7arcsec diameter (100micron)
  • Positioning accuracy of ~10microns (0.7arcsec)
  • Field configuration time of < 1 hour
  • Circular field plate of 6-degrees diameter acessible
  • 10 fold increase in throughput over the previous FLAIR system with 3-5 fields observed per night
  • Full-hemisphere spectroscopic survey projects can be tackled

    The robot's r and theta motions are servo controlled and carry a pneumatically actuated gripper. The field plate has a curved steel surface, matching the telescope focal surface on which the robot places magnetic buttons. The buttons carry light collecting prisms attached to optical fibres in a 10m cable that directly feeds a spectrograph on the dome floor. This provides an inherently stable instrumental configuration. The 6dF field plates also carry the fibre retractors, a grid of illuminated fiducial marks to establish the positioner coordinate system and a plate rotator to compensate for the rotational offset in the telescope.

    A schematic of the 6dF field plate is shown here in Figure.2

    The two interchangeable field plates, each with 150 target fibres, allow one to be configured while the other is on the telescope. Each 6dF field plate is loaded into the telescope in a similar way to photographic plates. Up to 5 fields can be observed per night which enables full-hemisphere spectroscopic survey projects to be tackled for the first time with up to 750 spectra per night.

    The 150-fibre cable from each field plate is relayed to an optical bench housing a schmidt-type spectrograph on the dome floor. 6dF has 3 dedicated gratings: 250B, 600V and 1200B but the type are exactly the same as used by 2dF so the full range of 2dF gratings are also in principle available. Resolutions range from 1 to 4 A/pixel.

    6dF is a direct analogue of the 2dF system on the AAT and provides an excellent statistical survey facility for moderately faint objects (the limit for galaxy redshifts is around B=18) over very wide fields.

    The 6dF K-selected redshift survey

    The 6dF galaxy redshift survey is a competitive whole southern sky redshift/peculiar velocity survey based on NIR selection from 2MASS and DENIS data. The unique aspects of this survey were the prime reason that 6dF was approved. A detailed survey implementation plan is being developed to ensure that the principal science goals are met. Up to 75% of UKST time has been allocated to the 6dF redshift survey.

    An example of what a cleaned 6dF image frame of 150 galaxy spectra would look like is shown here in Figure.3.
    Wavelength increases to the right and each row is a galaxy spectrum. Example consecutive galaxy spectra with B<17.1 from the previous FLAIR system are shown too in Figure.4.
    6dF spectra are expected to probe slightly deeper at a given S/N cf FLAIR due to the improved DQE and lower Read-out noise (RON) of the new CCD, higher fibre transmission (from a new Hereaus preform) and better optical aligmment/tolerances in the fully engineered 6dF positioner.

    Survey Details

  • The 6dF redshift survey is a 2.17micron K-band (K<13) selected galaxy sample from the 2MASS Extended Source Catalogue (XSC)
  • Star/galaxy separation is checked against the higher resolution DENIS I-band imaging
  • About 90,000 redshifts will be obtained over 15,000sq.deg in 2-2.5 years with an estimated survey completion date of 2003
  • Survey will also include fainter galaxies than K=13 to be complete to H=13.5 & J=14.3
  • An adaptive tiling scheme will be used for optimum observing efficiency
  • The survey will be non-proprietorial and 6dF will operate as a common user instrument on the UKST.
  • The pipeline data reduction software will be based on the AAT's 2dFdr reduction package to which the 6dF system is directly analogous.

    The K-band is closely related to the old stellar population luminosity and hence galaxy mass whilst minimising both internal and external extinction. It is also un-biased wrt recent star formation. The photometric properties of a subset of the target sample are given here in Figure.5. for both J-K and B-K which shows the additional objects included by the J<13 selection. Histograms of the sample distribution in B and R are given here in Figure.6.

    A Science Advisory Group (6dFSAG) has been set-up by the AAT board to provide scientific leadership and direction for the survey, to advise the board of progress and to formulate a detailed implementation plan for the redshift survey.

    Further details on the role of the 6dFSAG and associated public domain documentation can be found here

    The 6dF peculiar velocity survey

    The primary goal of the second phase of the 6dF survey is to measure peculiar velocities over the entire southern sky. 2MASS and DENIS photometry will be combined with the observed velocity dispersions for a subset of 15,000 early type galaxies with V<15,000Km/s to obtain D_n-sigma distances. This phase should be complete by 2004/2005.

    Both survey components will be non-proprietorial and 6dF will also operate as a common user instrument on the UKST. The pipeline data reduction software will be based on the AAT's 2dfdr reduction package to which the 6dF system is directly analogous. A Science Advisory Group (6dFSAG) has been set-up by the AAT board to provide scientific leadership and direction for the survey, to advise the board of progress and to formulate a detailed implementation plan for the redshift survey.

    The roles of the AAO and WFAU

    Agreement has been reached between the AAO and IfA Wide-field Astronomy Unit (WFAU) on the respective general areas of responsibility in the delivery of the 6dF survey data products

    The role of the AAO

    The AAO has prime responsibility to build and manage 6dF, integrate components, deliver configuration and positioning software, undertake commissioning and provide basic support for the facility once in operation as well as the day to day operational maintenance, repairs and upgrades.

    The role of the WFAU

    The WFAU and IfA have a crucial role in the support of the prime 6dF redshift survey and resulting data products. The WFAU involvement includes:

  • overall survey management
  • commissioning support
  • help with target catalogue construction
  • data quality control and assessment
  • archival of survey data products
  • community access to the data products via www interface
  • membership of the 6dFSAG and keen scientific interest in survey exploitation

    Other uses of 6dF

    Although for the first few years 6dF will concentrate on the main galaxy redshift survey the system is nevertheless a common user facility with up to 50-60 nights reserved for non-survey projects each year (25-30 nights per semester as for the current FLAIR system). Furthermore, once the main 6dF survey is complete, there is ample scope for alternative large-scale survey projects. For source densities of 5-50 per sq.deg and magnitudes B < 19, 6dF is at least as fast as any current telescope and is likely to remain competitive for some time. A schematic diagram demonstrating the effectiveness of 6dF for undertaking large area large number spectroscopic surveys is shown here in Figure.7. by comparing completion times for the K-selected redshift survey with other MOS systems.

    A few of possible types of project that 6dF could undertake include:

  • Extension of the K-selected redshift survey to Northern Equatorial Sky
  • Surveys in the ZoA at low galactic latitude
  • Potential to map the kinematics & perhaps chemistry of our Galaxy
  • Peculiar velocities at Northern Declinations
  • Spectroscopic follow-up based on new satellite surveys such as the GALEX UV explore mission

    Expected 6dF performance

    Once 6dF has been commissioned full performance characteristics will be made available. In the meantime some indication of what can be minimally expected can be found by reference to the FLAIR performance characteristics found here

    New CCD to be commissioned

    A new CCD and controller are being implemented with 6dF to replace the rather old and difficult to maintain FLAIR CCD system. The new device will be a Marconi (EEV) 13micron pixel 1Kx1K thinned CCD with exceptional characteristics. Details of the basic type of CCD envisaged are given here.

    Full details of the new CCD will be posted when available though the low RON (2 electrons) and very high DQE (>90%) throughout most of the envisaged wavelength range (4000-8000 Angstroms) should be acheived.

    6dF Spectrograph

    The spectrograph will remain basically as for FLAIR so the full range of 2dF Gratings are in principle available for use with 6dF together with the 3 6dF specific gratings.

    Data on some of the gratings are given below:

    
    Grating    Blaze    Reciprocal  Instrumental    CCD       CCD      Spectral
             direction  dispersion   resolution   binning  resolution   range
                          (A/mm)        (A)                 (A/pixel)    (A)
    
     250B     collim       286         11.3         x1         3.7       3790
     600V     collim       122          4.5         x1         1.6       1638
    1200B     collim        62          2.1         x1         0.8        820
    
    Note that the CCD resolution and spectral range values are only provisional pending the commissioning of the new CCD

    Applying for 6dF time

    Once 6dF has been properly commissioned up to 75% of available UKST time will be devoted to the main 6dF K-selected Galaxy redshift survey at least for the first year. Nevertheless, during the extended commissioning phase decent blocks of 6dF time may be available for smaller self-contained projects. Once 6dF is fully commissioned common-user nights will be available at the level of 25-30 nights per semester (as was the case for FLAIR).

    An "Announcement of opportunity" will be issued in due course.

    General 6dF applications are likely to be sought twice a year for the two semesters running from February-July (semester A) and August-January (semester B) as was done for FLAIR. The deadlines are currently those used by the Australian Time Assignment Committee (ATAC) and are announced in the AAO Newsletter.

    The 6dF deadline for the "A" semester (Feb-Jul inclusive, approx RA range 08-20h) is October 15th.

    The 6dF deadline for the "B" semester (Aug-Jan inclusive, approx RA range 20-08h) is 15th April.

    Due to the current uncertain time-scales for 6dF availability applicants are encouraged to seek advice and raise queries before submitting proposals. Requests for further information, preliminary 6dF forms and completed applications should be sent to either:

     UK applicants 
    
    Mike Read                             Tel: 0131 668 8328 
    Wide Field Astronmy Unit,             fax: 0131 662 1668
    Institute for Astronomy,            email:ukstu@roe.ac.uk
    Royal Observatory
    Blackford Hill, 
    Edinburgh
    EH9 3HJ 
    

    or

     Australian applicants 
    
    Paul Cass                             Tel: 061 68 42 6316/6291
    AAO                                   fax: 061 68 84 2298
    Coonabarabran                       email: cpc@aaocbn.aao.gov.au
    NSW 2357
    Australia
    

    Other nationalities can apply to either panel.

    (A Latex application form, a template file and a Fortran program to combine the two are also available via anonymous ftp to ftp.roe.ac.uk, the three files are in pub/ukstu/6df_form).

    Old FLAIR links

    As of Semester 00B FLAIR is now longer available on the UKST due to the need to prepare for the commissioning of 6dF. However links to the old FLAIR www pages and doucmentation are retained for the time being.

    Detailed FLAIR information from the AAO

    FLAIR handbook

    FLAIR data reduction

    Return to WFAU home page

    UK Schmidt at the AAO

    Pages maintained by: Dr. Quentin A Parker (6dF Survey manager, WFAU, IfA)

    e-mail: qap@roe.ac.uk

    Last revision: 9th March 2000