TAURUS-2 is the second generation instrument inspired by the success of the original TAURUS-1 wide-field imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer. The instrument was re-designed as a common-user facility and built under contract for both the WHT and the AAT by the Kapteyn Sterrenwacht, Roden.
A major design goal of TAURUS-2 was that, unlike TAURUS-1, it should be a straightforward and flexible instrument to use. In order that the instrument can be reconfigured easily, it is possible to change remotely between a wide range of filters, etalons and apertures.
The major optical components of TAURUS-2 are shown schematically in Figure . The components are as follows:
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Figure: TAURUS-2
Table: TAURUS-2 aperture masks
TAURUS--2 can be used with either the CCD-IPCS photon counting detector or a CCD. The question of which detector should be used for a given programme is discussed below.