Spectroscopic measurements made with CSHELL using the arc lamps and the
0.5" slit indicate that the maximum resolution achievable with CSHELL
has degraded substantially from the nominal value. Resolutions of
R = 20000 - 30000 are now reported, instead of the nominal value of
43000. This amounts to a broadening of 1-2 pixels over the expected
value of 2.5 pixels.
It is not currently known what has caused this degradation of resolution.
CSHELL is scheduled to be taken off the telescope during March-May for
repairs, at which time the staff will attempt to re-focus the instrument.
John Rayner
(rayner@irtf)
Last modified 11 January 2000