What is the name of the new high-resolution spectrograph installed at La Silla Observatory in Chile, which in 2025 sharpened views of the planetary system around Proxima Centauri?

The Near-Infrared Planet Searcher, or NIRPS, is a cutting-edge high-resolution spectrograph situated at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) 3.6-meter telescope (Deals) at La Silla Observatory in Chile. Officially commencing its scientific mission in April 2023, NIRPS was specifically engineered to search for exoplanets and scrutinize their atmospheres, particularly around cool, red M dwarf stars, which are the most common type of star in our galaxy. These stars shine brightest in near-infrared wavelengths, making NIRPS an ideal tool for such observations.

NIRPS operates by employing the radial velocity method, detecting the subtle wobble of a star caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets. It is designed to work in conjunction with the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS), a visible-light spectrograph already at the same telescope, allowing astronomers an unprecedented dual view in both visible and infrared light. This powerful combination has been instrumental in refining our understanding of nearby planetary systems. For instance, in 2025, the first scientific results from NIRPS, including studies on Proxima Centauri, were published, demonstrating its ability to achieve a radial velocity precision better than one meter per second in the infrared.

This advanced instrument has provided sharpened views of the planetary system around Proxima Centauri, our closest stellar neighbor, located just over four light-years away. Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star known to host at least one confirmed exoplanet, Proxima Centauri b, which orbits within its habitable zone. NIRPS has played a crucial role in confirming the presence of Proxima Centauri b and has even provided robust evidence for a second, less massive planet, Proxima Centauri d. The development and construction of NIRPS were a testament to international collaboration, involving scientists and engineers from several countries.