We present the first results from a new and unique integral-field spectrograph , SAURON .
Based upon the TIGER concept , SAURON uses a lens array to obtain two-dimensional spectroscopy with complete spatial coverage over a field of 33 ^ { \prime \prime } \times 41 ^ { \prime \prime } in low-resolution mode ( 0 . ^ { \prime \prime } 94 lenslets ) and of 9 ^ { \prime \prime } \times 11 ^ { \prime \prime } in high-resolution mode ( 0 . ^ { \prime \prime } 26 lenslets ) .
The spectra cover the wavelengths from 4800Å to 5400Å with a spectral resolution of \sim 3 Å ( \sigma \approx 75 km s ^ { -1 } ) . SAURON achieved first light during commissioning on the William Herschel Telescope on 1 February 1999 .
We are now commencing a systematic survey of the velocity dispersions , velocity fields , and line-strength distributions of nearby ellipticals and spiral bulges .
The wide field of SAURON will be crucial for unraveling complicated velocity structures .
In combination with available long-slit spectroscopy of the outer regions of the galaxies , HST spectra of the nuclei , HST imaging , and dynamical modeling , we will constrain the intrinsic shapes , mass-to-light ratios , and stellar populations in spheroids .