Optical + Near-IR Speckle Imaging With The Differential Speckle Survey Instrument at Apache Point Observatory

The Differential Speckle Survey Instrument (DSSI) has been successfully operating at the ARC 3.5-m telescope at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico for over a year, providing diffraction-limited imaging in the optical. We report on commissioning efforts for two new upgrades to DSSI: 1) an internal slit mask for astrometric calibration, and 2) a near-infrared channel configuration for the instrument operating at ~1.5µm. The near-infrared channel takes the place of one of the original optical channels, while the second channel of the instrument remains configured for optical observations. However, a two-position stage has been added to this optical channel, allowing for both of the original 692nm and 880nm filters. This represents the first near-infrared diffraction-limited imaging ever performed with DSSI, and the first for the ARC 3.5-m telescope, and a major step toward routine optical+NIR simultaneous speckle imaging for a range of science projects. The benefits of the internal slit mask and near-infrared channel configuration include improved astrometric precision, reduced time on-sky for calibrations, improved detection of lower luminosity companions including brown dwarfs, and a greater wavelength span for more robust source color determinations and H-R diagram positioning of system components.