VIPER is an upcoming next-generation astronomical spectrograph, designed to deliver high-resolution, high-throughput spectroscopy in a compact instrument. At its core is a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA): a dispersive element that provides higher dispersion, greater efficiency, and a smaller form factor than the conventional diffraction grating used in most astronomical spectrographs.

The use of VIPAs is relatively new in astronomical spectroscopy, opening a new path for science cases that demand high resolution and sensitivity when broad wavelength coverage is not required. VIPER is designed with a multimode optical fiber feed and will operate in a seeing-limited mode, meaning it does not require the use of adaptive optics systems. This makes it more accessible to a wider range of telescopes and observing programs.

VIPER is currently under development at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, with first on-sky observations targeted for 2027-2028. We are currently in the design phase and have been conducting some experiments in the lab. We welcome collaborations with scientists interested in shaping VIPER's early science program, identifying compelling exoplanet and astrophysical targets, and exploring new astronomical applications for high-resolution VIPA spectrographs.