Wavefront sensing within the VISTA infrared camera

Paul Clark; Paul Berry; Richard G. Bingham; Nirmal Bissonauth; Martin Caldwell; Nigel A. Dipper; Colin N. Dunlop; David M. Henry; Peter Luke; Richard M. Myers; David J. Robertson

doi:10.1117/12.552033

29 September 2004 Wavefront sensing within the VISTA infrared camera

Paul Clark, Paul Berry, Richard G. Bingham, Nirmal Bissonauth, Martin Caldwell, Nigel A. Dipper, Colin N. Dunlop, David M. Henry, Peter Luke, Richard M. Myers, David J. Robertson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5499, Optical and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552033
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

VISTA is a 4-metre survey telescope currently being constructed on the NTT peak of ESO’s Cerro Paranal Observatory. The telescope will be equipped with a dedicated infrared camera providing images of a 1.65 degree field of view. The telescope and camera are of an innovative f/3.26 design with no intermediate focus and no cold stop. The mosaic of 16 IR detectors is located directly at Cassegrain focus and a novel baffle arrangement is used to suppress stray light within the cryostat. The pointing and alignment of the telescope and camera is monitored by wavefront sensing elements within the camera cryostat itself. This paper describes the optical, mechanical, electronic and thermal design of the combined curvature sensor and auto-guider units positioned at the periphery of the camera field of view. Centroid and image aberration data is provided to the telescope control system allowing real time correction of pointing and alignment of the actively positioned M2 unit. Also described are the custom optics, mounted in the camera filter wheel, which are used to perform near on-axis high order curvature sensing. Analysis of the corresponding defocused images allows calibration tables of M1 actuator positions to be constructed for varying telescope declination and temperature.

Citation Download Citation

Paul Clark, Paul Berry, Richard G. Bingham, Nirmal Bissonauth, Martin Caldwell, Nigel A. Dipper, Colin N. Dunlop, David M. Henry, Peter Luke, Richard M. Myers, and David J. Robertson "Wavefront sensing within the VISTA infrared camera", Proc. SPIE 5499, Optical and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552033

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available