Raven, a harbinger of Multi-Object adaptive optics based instruments at the subaru telescope

In the context of instrumentation for Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs), an Integral Field Spectrographs (IFSs), fed with a Multi-Object Adaptive Optics (MOAO) system, has many scientific and technical advantages. Integrated with an ELT, a MOAO system will allow the simultaneous observation of up to 20 targets in a several arc-minute fieid-of-view, each target being viewed, with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution. However, before building a MOAO instrument for an ELT, several critical issues, such as open-loop control and calibration, must be solved. The Adaptive Optics Laboratory of the University of Victoria, in collaboration with the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, the Subaru telescope and two industrial partners, is starting the construction of a MOAO pathfinder, called Raven. The goal of Raven is two fold: first, Raven has to demonstrate that MOAO technical challenges can be solved and implemented reliably for routine on-sky observations. Secondly, Raven must demonstrate that reliable science can be delivered with multiplexed AO systems. In order to achieve these goals, the Raven science channels will be coupled to the Subaru's spectrograph (IRCS) on the infrared Nasmyth platform. This paper will present the status of the project, including the conceptual instrument design and a discussion of the science program.