New high-res instrument on Gemini North peers deeper into dusty dwellings of young stars

Using its new high-resolution infrared spectrograph, the Gemini North telescope has started peering deeper into the dusty dwellings of young stars. The new Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph-2 or IGRINS-2 instrument is an upgraded version of the IGRINS instrument on Gemini South, the other half of the International Gemini Observatory, that will expand our understanding of cosmic objects shrouded by dust and gas.

IGRINS-2 obtained spectra of the planetary nebula NGC 7027, also known as the Jewel Bug Nebula, which is one of the visually brightest planetary nebulae. The expansion of NGC 7027’s dynamic gasses out into the surrounding space produces a striking spectrum that illustrates the power of the instrument.

"With the new infrared IGRINS-2 on Gemini North complementing the new optical GHOST on Gemini South, we now have two cutting-edge high-resolution spectrographs. This expanded capability of our observatory opens up exciting windows of discovery," said Jennifer Lotz, Director of Gemini Observatory.

IGRINS-2 is primarily designed to witness the first moments of nascent stars. Near-infrared spectrographs like IGRINS-2 can pierce through the dust and observe young stars in their early development.

"The main science goal of IGRINS-2 is observing young stars being born inside a dusty environment," said IGRINS-2 Project Manager and Technical Representative Hwihyun Kim. 

The new instrument is ideal for studying brown dwarfs, exoplanets (planets beyond our solar system), the interstellar medium and the evolution of galaxies. Its ability to capture these targets in remarkable resolution allows astronomers to resolve details about stellar atmospheres and the structures of galaxies.

IGRINS-2 was built by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) on behalf of the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF’s NOIRLab.

KASI and Gemini teams will now start integrating IGRINS-2 with the software and subsystems at Gemini North, which may take several months. IGRINS-2 will be available for use by the broader astronomy community in the second half of 2024.

"The ability of IGRINS-2 to peer within otherwise opaque regions of the Universe will allow us to better understand how stars are born and many other astronomical phenomena hidden behind galactic dust. NSF congratulates our Gemini partner, KASI, and the entire telescope staff for achieving the critical milestone of IGRINS-2 first light," said Martin Still, NSF Program Director for the International Gemini Observatory.