ECHARPE: the high resolution Échelle spectrograph for the Pico dos Dias Observatory P&E 1.6 m Telescope

Abstract

ECHARPE is a new fiber-fed, high-resolution ´echelle spectrograph for the 1.6-m Perkin & Elmer telescope at the Observat´orio do Pico dos Dias (OPD/LNA), Brazil. Designed as a bench-mounted and environmentally controlled instrument, it delivers broad visible-band coverage (380–900 nm) with a resolving power of R ∼ 50,000, enabling precise radial velocity and stellar abundance analyses. This contribution summarizes the main characteristics and design choices of the instrument, including its optical layout, mechanical architecture, fiber-injection system, and calibration unit. We describe the final construction phase now underway, focusing on the integration of the optical bench, alignment of opto-mechanical assemblies, and implementation of the control and data-acquisition systems. We present first laboratory results, including preliminary spectral measurements, stability tests, and throughput estimates. Commissioning at OPD is planned for late 2026, enhancing the spectroscopic capabilities of the observatory.