Eyes on space grew brighter thanks to an instrument made in South Korea

IGRINS-2 (yellow rectangular object), an infrared spectrograph developed by the researchers at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. Courtesy of the KASI

An advanced infrared spectrograph developed by South Korean researchers successfully made its first observation from an observatory in Hawaii. Its enhanced performance compared to existing instruments is expected to contribute to the research on the evolution of stars and in the search for exoplanets.

On November 9, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) announced that they made the first successful test observation of an astronomical object in distant space using IGRINS-2, an infrared spectrograph, installed at the Gemini Observatory on Mount Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

A spectrograph is a device that breaks down light entering through the telescope into wavelengths. This allows researchers to see what substance the astronomical object is composed of and how fast it is moving. Among the various properties of light, IGRINS-2 developed by South Korean researchers is customized to analyze infrared light.

Researchers began developing IGRINS-2 in 2020 and finished installing the device at the Gemini Observatory last month. It has now made its first successful test observation. IGRINS-2 is an improved version of IGRINS, developed in collaboration with U.S. researchers in 2014 and well received by the astronomical community.

The reflector on the Gemini Observatory telescope is 8.1m in diameter and is one of the world’s largest optical telescopes with a single-piece mirror instead of a combination of mirrors, along with the Subaru Telescope (8.2m), also in Hawaii. The Gemini Observatory is jointly operated by the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, along with South Korea.

The astronomical object observed using IGRINS-2 was the planetary nebula NGC 7027, located three thousand light-years from Earth. It is the remains of a dying star with a mass 3-4 times bigger than the Sun, which scattered its skin into space. The space and science circle believe the NGC 7027 began to form six hundred years ago.

The test observation of IGRINS-2 will continue until the first half of next year.