First VIMOS Spectra (in detail)

An enlargement of the first Multi-Object Spectroscopy (MOS) observations with VIMOS showing a small part of the field shown in ESO Press Photo eso0209b. The light from each galaxy passes through the dedicated slit in the mask (see ESO Press Photo eso0209k) and produces a spectrum on the detector. Each vertical rectangle contains the spectrum of one galaxy that is located several billion light-years away.

The horizontal lines are the strong emission from the "night sky" (radiation from atoms and molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere), while the vertical traces are the spectral signatures of the galaxies. The full field contains the spectra of over 220 galaxies that were observed simultaneously, illustrating the great efficiency of this technique. Later, about 1,000 spectra will be obtained in one exposure.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0209l
Type:Observation
Release date:13 March 2002
Related releases:eso0209
Size:893 x 666 px

About the Object

Name:Spectrum, VIRMOS-VLT Deep Survey Field at 1000+02
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Supercluster
Distance:z=5.0 (redshift)
Category:Cosmology

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Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
R
Very Large Telescope
VIMOS