Tools and trends in high resolution optical spectroscopy

Workshop Details: The aim of this proposal is two-fold:

• To bring together instrument builders, observers and modellers who deal with high resolution spectroscopy to form a working group that would contribute to the science and development of the 2 nd generation TMT high resolution spectrograph (HRS) and other similar efforts within the country (e.g. high-res spectrograph for Devastal optical telescope)
• To introduce and familiarize young researchers and PhD students to the tools of high resolution precision spectroscopy using the recently developed high resolution spectrographs in the country (e.g.VBT echelle, PARAS at Mt. Abu and HESP at IAO Hanle) and prepare them ready for the future facilities

Background & Objective:

Given the long tradition of our country in the field of high resolution spectroscopy, it will be of great interest for us to make significant contribution to the development and science aspects of TMT-HRS. ASI offers the best possible forum for community explorations: bringing experts in the area of astronomical instrumentation, data calibration and modelling and efficiently integrate the technical expertise from the universities on one forum. 

Recent advancements in the field of exoplanets and estimation of fundamental constants at high redshifts has pushed the limits in building and calibrating high resolution spectrographs. Similarly, modeling the spectroscopic data has also improved due to the better 3D models of stellar atmospheres and constraints from asteroseismology. These inputs helped in estimating accurate stellar parameters and chemical abundances in probing planet signature and isotopic abundances of primordial chemical elements. 

During the workshop we propose to review

1. The recent high resolution optical spectrographs in the country.
2. Science, design and calibration aspects of precision spectroscopy
3. Design choices for TMT-HRS and science capabilities
4. Training sessions on observing with HESP, data reduction and calibration

The workshop will highlight the challenges in reaching the required precision in the spectro-photometric calibration in the area of exoplanet atmospheres, chemical abundances and precision radial velocities.

Expected outcome of the workshop:

Learn/understand the tools and trades of current high resolution spectroscopic studies. Increase the user community and efficient use of HESP. Workshop on this topic in a large forum like ASI will benefit from the expertise from universities, especially in the area of optics and instrumentation and form focused working groups that can participate in the development of future high resolution spectrographs (e.g. TMT-HRS) and follow up studies within the country.

Tentative schedule and list of speakers:

Posters:

• HESP -observing user interface
• HESP data pipeline
• HESP – early science results
• TMT-HRS prototype

For the hands on session:  
Laptop with linux OS and IRAF & python installed along with scipy, numpy, pyfits, matplotlib  

Additional information for the participants: 
Overview of HESP instrument specifications and design: www.iiap.res.in/hesp TMT high resolution spectrograph: http://tmt.iiap.res.in/hrs