This project will add a long-slit spectroscopic capability to an NSF supported infrared imaging system for the 1.8m Lowell Observatory telescope. The spectroscopic option will provide three complimentary capabilities: o A low resolution (lamda/delta lamda = 550) long slit (6.8') mode, which will disperse one of the J, H, or K atmospheric windows across the detector array in its entirety. o A cross-dispersed mode that allows observations at a resolution of 550 of the entire useful wavelength range from 1.18 to 2.45 (mu)m with a 30" long slit or from 0.96 to 2.45 (mu)m for a point source. o A higher resolution (lamda/delta lamda = 1500) mode with a more restricted slit length (2.6'); a positionable grating mount will allow the selection of wavelengths in this mode. All the options, including the changeover from imaging to spectroscopic observing, will be remotely controlled and rapidly selectable. There are two projects that the spectrometer will be directed towards: studies of the stellar content of galaxies and of the evolutionary status of young stellar objects. //
