Available Instruments

IRTF Facility Instruments

SpeX, 0.7 – 5.3 micron cross-dispersed medium-resolution spectrograph and imager

MORIS, 512x512 pixel Andor IXon CCD Camera, mounted on SpeX

iSHELL, 1.06 - 5.3 micron cross-dispersed echelle spectrograph and imager

MIRSI, 5 - 20 micron camera and grism spectrograph and imager
(MIRSI not available for Semester 2026B to allow for upgrades - see CfP)

MOC, 512x512 pixel Andor IXon CCD Camera, mounted on MIRSI

`Opihi, wide-angle finder mounted to and aligned with IRTF

Visitor Instruments

Listed here are visitors' instruments often used at the IRTF. The PIs who own these instruments have agreed to consider collaborative applications from other astronomers for observing programs using them. Such programs must be agreed with the PIs who are listed for each instrument and the applications must be submitted jointly with the relevant PI. These instruments are not supported by the IRTF, and the costs of their transport and operation must be borne by PIs and their collaborators.

TEXES, 8-26 micron high resolution grating spectrograph
Dr. Tommy Greathouse, SWRI
Phone:210-522-2809
E-mail:tgreathouse@swri.edu
Website:http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/~texes/

Slew Times, Non-Sidereal Tracking and Target Acquisition

Slew times: Slew rates are 800''/s west toward setting targets or 1600''/s east. Time for a 90 degree slew takes 3.4 minutes eastward to 6.8 minutes westward.

Maximum non-sidereal tracking rate: 60 arcseconds / second. Note: 60''/s has been used successfully for previous programs. There is not strict limit on the non-sidereal tracking rate, but rates much above 60''/s may not be smooth.

Confirmation of pointing and target acquisition: After a slew of several degrees or more, it should be assumed that telescope pointing will need to be confirmed by pointing to a nearby bright star. This is done by the telescope operator and can assumed to take 2 minutes. Confirmation of the target and set up of guiding by the observer can be assumed to take an additional 2 minutes per target.

Contact IRTF staff (irtf-support@lists.hawaii.edu) with any questions.