Kitt Peak National Observatory fiber actuator device

Abstract

A robot for positioning fiber optics in the focal plane of the Mayall 4-meter telescope has been constructed at Kin Peak National Observatory (KPNO). This fiber actuator device (FAD) will position up to 100 fibers for multi-object spectroscopy over a 45 arc-minute field. The positioner is based upon the AUTOFIB concept which uses magnets to hold the fibers in place. We have incorporated a unique gripping mechanism which allows a TV camera to view both the fiber and sky simultaneously.