Fore-optics of the MUSE instrument

MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) is a second generation VLT panoramic integral field spectrograph developed for the European Southern Observatory (ESO), operating in the visible wavelength range (0.465-0.93 μm). The MUSE instrument is currently under integration and the commissioning is expected to start at the beginning of year 2013. The scientific and technical capabilities of MUSE are described in a series of 19 companion papers. The Fore-Optics (FO), situated at the entrance of MUSE, is used to de-rotate and provide an anamorphic magnification (x 5 / x 2.5) of the 1 arc minute square field of view from the F/15.2 VLT Nasmyth focal plane (Wide Field Mode, WFM). Additional optical elements can be inserted in the optical beam to further increase the magnification by a factor 8 (Narrow Field Mode, NFM). An atmospheric dispersion corrector is also added in the NFM. Two image stabilization units have been developed to ensure a stabilization of the field of view (1/20 of a resolved element) for each observation mode. Environmental values such as temperature and hygrometry are monitored to inform about the observation conditions. All motorized functions and sensors are remote-controlled from the VLT Software via the CAN bus with CANOpen protocol. In this paper, we describe the FO optical, mechanical and control/command electronic concept, development and performance.