Speaker
Description
The Local Volume Mapper (LVM) survey employs four, 16-cm telescopes feeding 3 fiber-fed spectrographs at Las Campanas Observatory, with the goal of mapping the Galactic plane with 37” spatial resolution and R~4000 spectral resolution. One telescope hosts the science IFU, while two others observe adjacent fields to calibrate geocoronal emission. The fourth telescope measures bright stars to compensate telluric absorption. Four fiber bundles bring the light from the telescope chamber to the "sorting hat", which divides the fibers equally among the entrance slits of the three spectrographs. These slits intersperse the light from all three types of telescope, producing truly simultaneous science and calibration exposures. The demands of the survey have led to some unique challenges and unconventional design choices. We will present an update on the construction, testing, and commissioning of the LVM instrument, along with a look forward to Science Verification.
