M-dwarf Advanced Radial velocity Observer Of Neighboring eXoplanets (MAROON-X)

MAROON-X being assembled by Luke Gers at Gemini North in 2019

The M-dwarf Advanced Radial velocity Observer Of Neighboring eXoplanets (MAROON-X) is a highly stable fiber-fed and high-efficiency echelle spectrograph that detects light in the range 500–920 nanometers simultaneously in two camera arms. It was designed to detect Earth-size exoplanets in the habitable zones of cooler M dwarf stars and to confirm and measure the masses of low-mass planet candidates using the radial velocity method. MAROON-X was constructed at the University of Chicago, and installed at the Gemini North telescope in the first quarter of 2019.

The instrument has no moving parts, has high spectral resolution and can simultaneously record the spectra of the star, the sky background, and the light from a calibration source. It uses Gemini’s peripheral wavefront sensor 2 (PWFS2), along with a combination of octagonal and rectangular fibers.

Read More about MAROON-X.

Colorized 2D spectra of the star Gliese 486 as seen with MAROON-X

Science Highlights of MAROON-X

Quick Facts

Low-mass planet candidates in the habitable zones of M dwarfs are the best objects for future atmospheric study of potentially habitable planets.
700-920 nm is the wavelength range containing the maximum radial velocity information for mid- to late-M dwarf stars.
The instrument must be very stable to ensure the desired radial velocity measurements, so it is stored in a vacuum tank and in a temperature-stabilized enclosure.

M-dwarf Advanced Radial velocity Observer Of Neighboring eXoplanets (MAROON-X) For scientists: Please find the most up-to-date details about the instrument offerings on the Gemini website.
Site	Maunakea
Telescope	Gemini North
Type	Spectrograph
Wavelength range	500–920 nm
Number of detectors	2
Detector format	4080 x 4080 pixels
Detector total size	61,200 x 61,200 μm
Spectral resolution:	82,000 – 88,000
Date of first light	2020
Science Goals	Detect Earth-size planets in the habitable zones of mid- to late-M dwarfs
Images taken with the instruments	Link
Images of the instrument	Link
Videos of the Instrument	Link
Press releases with the instrument	Link