CorMASS: A Compact and Efficient Near‐Infrared Spectrograph for Studying Low‐Mass Objects

CorMASS (Cornell Massachusetts Slit Spectrograph) is a compact, low‐resolution (R∼300), double‐pass prism cross‐dispersed near‐infrared (NIR) spectrograph in operation on the Palomar Observatory 60 inch telescope. Its two‐dimensional spectral format provides simultaneous coverage of λ∼0.75 μm to λ∼2.5 μm (źJHK bands). A remotely operated cold flip mirror permits its NICMOS3 detector to function as a Ks slit viewer to assist object placement into the 2′′ × 15′′ slit. CorMASS was primarily designed for the rapid spectral classification of low‐mass stellar and substellar objects identified by the Two‐Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). The efficiency and resolution of CorMASS also make it a versatile instrument for the spectral observation and classification of many other types of bright objects (K<14) including quasars, novae, and emission‐line objects.