INAF Arcetri Journal

The monthly newsletter of the INAF Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

September-October 2026 | Issue 5

MOONS First Light

The MOONS spectrograph, installed on the Very Large Telescope, has successfully performed its first observations. For the first time, an instrument will be able to obtain near-infrared spectra of approximately a thousand objects simultaneously, opening a new window on the evolution of the Milky Way and galaxies. 

Researchers involved include Ernesto Oliva, project coordinator, and Filippo Mannucci, coordinator of the working group on star-forming galaxies, of INAF Arcetri.

Further information:

• ESO Announcement (ENG)

• Media INAF news (ITA)

• News on INAF Arcetri website (ITA)

MORFEO control strategy

The control strategy has been defined for MORFEO—the largest and most complex adaptive optics system ever designed—intended for use with ELT. Without it, the ELT’s MICADO camera, which operates in synergy with MORFEO, would capture a completely blurred view of the sky.

The study, published in Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, includes Guido Agapito, Lorenzo Busoni, Cédric Plantet, Giulia Carlà and Alfio Puglisi from INAF Arcetri.

• “MORFEO control strategy”, G. Agapito et al., Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems (2026)

Further information:

• Media INAF news (ITA)

• News on INAF Arcetri website (ITA)

HRMOS White Paper

The HRMOS project achieved a major milestone with the publication of the second version of the White Paper. HRMOS is a next-generation instrument proposed for the ESO Very Large Telescope within the “VLT beyond 2030” process. The White Paper presents the driving science cases and makes the case that HRMOS represents a strategic investment for European astronomy in the 2030s.

HRMOS is an INAF-led project. The team of INAF Arcetri includes Sofia Randich, Laura Magrini, Germano Sacco, Riano Escate Giribaldi, Maria Tsantaki, Jose Schiappacasse Ulloa, Anna Brucalassi, Simone D’Auria and Andrea Tozzi.

Further information:

• HRMOS White paper (ENG)

• News on INAF Arcetri website (ITA)