VIRUS2: Interfaces to the 2.7 m Harlan J Smith Telescope

The VIRUS2 instrument is a fiber-fed multiplexed IFU spectrograph consisting of 6 units, each with 4 spectral channels, to provide large on-sky area coverage coupled with broad spectral coverage. As a new NSF-funded facility instrument on the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m Harlan J Smith Telescope, VIRUS2 will cover a 2.5 square arcminute field of view, with 1536 2.6 arc-second spatial elements. An additional 192 sky fibers are deployed in a separate integral field unit for sky subtraction. This paper addresses those elements which connect VIRUS2 to the focal plane of the telescope, as well as the facility infrastructure required to support its functionality. It also addresses the operational modes including deployment, observing rules, and IFU storage. The IFU input, acquisition & guide camera, & calibration system are discussed. The IFU design, routing and handling strategy are detailed. The instrument location, thermal management, & other critical support systems are also covered.