Introduction
The Hamilton Echelle Spectrograph is a high-resolution optical
spectrometer permanently mounted in a thermally and mechanically
stable, semi-underground room at the coudé focus of the
Shane 3-meter Telescope. The
0.6-meter
Coudé Auxiliary Telescope (CAT) provides an auxiliary feed
which permits the Hamilton to be used when the 3-meter is not
configured for coudé observing.
The Hamilton's
spectral format covers a
practical wavelength range from about 3400A-9000A in a single
observation.
Dispersion varies from
less than 2.0A/mm at 3500A, to just over 5.0A/mm at 9000A;
resolution ranges from about 60,000-100,000,
depending on the choice of detector and other variables.
As of the first quarter 2012 (beginning 1 February 2012) the dewar 4
CCD is the only detector available for use with the Hamilton
Spectrograph. Dewars 6 and 8 have effectively been retired from service.
The Hamilton was designed by Steven S. Vogt (Lick Observatory) and realized
in the Lick shops at University of California Santa Cruz.
Its construction was made possible through the generous gift of
Ms. Clara-Belle Hamilton. (See the original instrument paper:
The Lick Observatory Hamilton Echelle Spectrometer,
PASP 99, 1987.)
The Hamilton Spectrograph is a Lick facility instrument, available to the
University of California astronomical community by subscription.
Time Allocation Policy
Observing Time Request Forms
All new users must be checked out by a resident astronomer on
their first night.
Please request support on your time application.
Please direct questions to a Mount Hamilton support astronomer.
Email
sa@ucolick.org or consult the
support astronomers' on-call schedule.
Support Astronomers
(sa@ucolick.org)
Last modified: Wed Feb 22 18:0:00 PST 2012
