BlueMUSE is an optical seeing-limited, blue-optimised, medium spectral resolution, panoramic integral-field-spectrograph, to be installed on one of the telescopes of the VLT on Cerro Paranal (Chile). The project is an evolution of the technology used on the very successful VLT / MUSE instrument, with a similar architecture and technology inovation, but with new and distinct science case enabled by its main characteristics:
- a wavelength coverage 350 – 580 nm
- an average spectral resolution R=4000
- a field-of-view higher than 1arcmin²
BlueMUSE will offer new and unique science opportunities in many fields of astrophysics, beyond those possible with MUSE. Among the science goals available with this new instrument, it will survey large sample of massive stars in our galaxy and the Local Group, study ionized nebulae, starburst and low surface-brightness galaxies. At high redshift, it would allow us for the first time to detect the IGM unambiguously in emission, as well as study the evolution of the CGM properties near the peak of the Cosmic Star formation history.
Project News
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Contract Signature !
On January 30th 2026, the agreement for the construction of BlueMUSE has been signed between ESO and CNRS at ESO headquarters, Garching. The signing marks a new important step in the development of BlueMUSE. The CNRS’s Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon (CRAL) is the institution leading the instrument consortium, which consists of nine institutes…
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Phase A Review
The BlueMUSE instrument has passed its first official review on February 25th and 26th at ESO, Garching. On this occasion the team presented a summary of the Science Cases, the Top Level Requirements and Technical Requirements Specification, the design concept and its expected performance, the operation and calibration plan and the road towards construction. We…
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BlueMUSE Gate A2 – December 2024
BlueMUSE just passed its Gate A2 with attendance from the consortium members and the ESO follow up team. This important milestone allowed us to prepare to the next major milestone for the Project, the end of Phase A Review, planned for February 2025. We want to thank again everyone for their attendance and are looking…