Updates: Getting a Jump

While engineers prepare the 150 planned VIRUS units for HETDEX observations, several University of Texas graduate students are putting the prototype, known as VIRUS-P, to use on a variety of research projects. They are using its wide field of view and its 280 optical fibers to produce detailed looks at the structure and composition of galaxies, nebulae, and other objects.

“VIRUS-P isn’t just testing the HETDEX concept,” explains Karl Gebhardt, one of the lead scientists for HETDEX. “It’s a full-fledged scientific instrument that’s providing an enormous amount of good data.”

The research projects range from the life and death of galaxies to the final acts of Sun-like stars. They have already produced several research papers and presentations, with more to follow in the next few years. They are also providing valuable information on how VIRUS works in real astronomical observations. More

HETDEX in the News

"The Final Frontier," by Karen Olsson, Texas Monthly, April 2008

"Cosmic Efforts Shed Light on Dark Universe," by David Bradley; StarDate, July/August 2007

"Sailing Into the Dark," by Gary Hill; Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 8, 2007

"In Pursuit of Knowledge"; Austin American-Statesman, April 1, 2007

"UT Receives $5M Grant to Study Dark Energy"; Austin Business Journal, April 27, 2006

"Feature: Dark Energy," by Patrick Brendel; FOCUS on Science, Spring 2007