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| HIRES-NIR | |
|---|---|
| Name | HIRES-NIR |
| Type | near-infrared echelle spectrograph |
| Wavelength | 0.9–2.5 μm |
| Resolution | R ~ 50,000–100,000 |
| Location | large-aperture optical/infrared telescopes |
| First light | 2020s |
| Affiliation | consortium model |
HIRES-NIR HIRES-NIR is a high-resolution near-infrared echelle spectrograph designed for precision radial-velocity and high-resolution spectroscopy on large-aperture telescopes. It supports exoplanet detection, stellar astrophysics, and time-domain studies by combining stabilized optics, cryogenic infrared detectors, and precision calibration systems. The instrument is the product of a multi-institutional collaboration that brings together observatory engineering, detector physics, and data science.
HIRES-NIR integrates precision optics and cryogenic instrumentation developed by teams at major institutions to deliver stable, high-resolution spectra for programs led by principal investigators from leading observatories. The project links expertise from groups such as European Southern Observatory, W. M. Keck Observatory, California Institute of Technology, Max Planck Society, Carnegie Institution for Science, and University of Arizona. It was conceived to complement optical echelle facilities like HARPS, ESPRESSO, and CARMENES while leveraging infrared advances from initiatives including SPIRou, NIRSPEC, and CRIRES+. Funding and governance models involve agencies such as National Science Foundation, European Research Council, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and national observatories in coordination with instrument builders from Jet Propulsion Laboratory and industrial partners.
The optical layout uses a cross-dispersed echelle grating and a folded white-pupil design informed by heritage from instruments at Subaru Telescope, Gemini Observatory, and Very Large Telescope. A cryostat houses Hawaii series detectors produced by teams akin to Teledyne Technologies with readout electronics developed alongside groups at Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii and Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille. Wavelength coverage spans the Y, J, H, and K bands to capture molecular and atomic lines exploited in programs led by researchers connected to Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Princeton University, and University of Cambridge. Thermal and pressure stabilization employ techniques tested on ESPRESSO and HARPS-N with reference to calibration sources like laser frequency combs pioneered by teams at Menlo Systems and gas-cell approaches developed at Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. Typical resolving power modes range from R~50,000 for survey efficiency to R~100,000 for precision work, with fiber feeds and image slicers modeled after systems used at Lick Observatory and McDonald Observatory.
Primary goals include detection and characterization of low-mass exoplanets around M-dwarfs and young stars studied by researchers from MIT, University of California, Berkeley, University of Geneva, and University of Hawaii. The instrument supports atmospheric retrievals for transiting planets pursued by teams affiliated with Space Telescope Science Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, and ETH Zurich, using molecular bands also targeted by observers at Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. Stellar physics programs aim to probe abundance patterns and magnetic activity in stars investigated by groups at University of Oxford, Columbia University, and University of Toronto. Time-domain capabilities enable studies of variable objects coordinated with surveys like Zwicky Transient Facility and follow-up of targets from facilities such as Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, Gaia, and Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Synergies with interferometric arrays such as CHARA Array and space observatories including James Webb Space Telescope are integral for multi-wavelength campaigns.
Observing modes include single-fiber and multi-fiber feeds, nodded-pair observations for sky subtraction, and simultaneous calibration through a laser frequency comb or etalon system developed in collaboration with industrial partners and university labs. Operational modes mirror strategies used by teams at European Southern Observatory for instruments like CRIRES+ and by engineering groups at Keck Observatory for NIRSPEC. Data reduction pipelines are modular, adopting algorithms and heritage code from projects at CFHT and La Silla Observatory and incorporating telluric correction routines and forward-modeling techniques employed by groups at University of Geneva and Arizona State University. Advanced post-processing for radial-velocity extraction uses template-matching and Gaussian process frameworks popularized in studies from University of California, Santa Cruz and Imperial College London.
Deployment followed a multi-year integration and test campaign carried out at institutional labs associated with Max Planck Society and university cleanrooms before shipping to partner telescopes. First light campaigns were coordinated with observatory staff from Subaru Telescope, Keck Observatory, and Gemini Observatory and scheduled through time allocation committees including panels from National Science Foundation and national observatories. Commissioning included validation programs led by scientists from Harvard University, University of California, Santa Cruz, and University of Cambridge with early science demonstration programs tied to legacy surveys from TESS follow-up consortia and coordination with community teams at Space Telescope Science Institute.
HIRES-NIR is central to consortium-led surveys aimed at nearby habitable-zone planet searches, stellar abundance mapping, and time-domain follow-up. Major collaborations include partnerships with groups involved in TESS follow-up networks, the Habitable Worlds initiatives at leading universities, and cross-facility programs linking data with Gaia and JWST teams. Survey participants include scientists from institutions such as Princeton University, University of Arizona, Carnegie Institution for Science, Caltech, ETH Zurich, and national observatory networks coordinated by committees at European Southern Observatory and national funding agencies.
Early performance metrics demonstrate sub-3 m/s short-term radial-velocity stability in the H band under controlled conditions, enabling detections of Neptune- to super-Earth-mass planets reported by teams from Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, University of Geneva, and University of California, Berkeley. Initial science highlights include atmospheric constraints for transiting targets also observed by James Webb Space Telescope teams, stellar abundance studies complementing GALAH and APOGEE results produced by groups at Australian National University and University of Virginia, and time-domain characterizations linked with follow-up from Zwicky Transient Facility and LSST precursor programs. Ongoing optimization by engineers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and scientists at Max Planck Institute for Astronomy continues to improve calibration and pipeline performance.
Category:Near-infrared spectrographs