MAROON-X is Coming Together

MAROON-X arrived in ten crates and is now unpacked and the large items moved into the thermally controlled enclosure. Now the optics are being installed and aligned.

MAROON-X, the radial velocity spectrograph from the University of Chicago, has arrived at Gemini North. This visiting instrument is expected to be able to detect Earth-size planets in the habitable zones of mid- to late-M dwarf stars using the radial velocity method. First though, it needs to be assembled and aligned in the thermally controlled enclosure in the Pier Lab. Uncrating and inspection began on May 6, with assembly and positioning of large items (such as the cryostat) taking place over the next few days. During the week of May 13, the optics were unpacked, integrated and aligned. Although the work is going very smoothly, thanks to the outstanding instrument team and the assistance of the skilled Gemini day crew, we will postpone the commissioning until July due to other activities taking place at the telescope.