FORCAST: A Mid-Infrared Camera for SOFIA

Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation

article

T. L. Herter¹  J. D. Adams²  G. E. Gull¹  J. Schoenwald¹  L. D. Keller³  B. E. Pirger¹  C. P. Henderson¹  G. J. Stacey¹  T. Nikola¹  J. M. De Buizer⁴  W. D. Vacca⁴  K. Ennico⁵ 

[1] Department of Astronomy, Cornell University;Universities Space Research Association, NASA/Armstrong Flight Research Center;Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ithaca College;Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center;NASA Ames Research Center

关键词: SOFIA (FORCAST);    airborne;    imaging;    spectroscopy;    mid-infrared;   

DOI  :  10.1142/S2251171718400056

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

We describe the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) which is presently operating as a facility instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). FORCAST provides imaging and moderate resolution spectroscopy capability over the 5–40μm wavelength range. In imaging mode, FORCAST has a 3.4′×3.2′ field-of-view with 0.768′′ pixels. Using grisms, FORCAST provides long-slit low-resolution (R=100–300) and short-slit, cross-dispersed medium-resolution spectroscopic modes (R=800–1200) over select wavelengths. Preceded by both Spitzer and Herschel, the discovery phase space for FORCAST lies in providing unique photometric bands and/or spectroscopic coverage, higher spatial resolution and exploration of the brightest sources which typically saturate space observatories.

【 授权许可】

Unknown