The UKIRT wide-field camera (WFCAM): commissioning and performance on the telescope

Paul Hirst; Mark Casali; Andy Adamson; Derek Ives; Tom Kerr

doi:10.1117/12.670887

28 June 2006 The UKIRT wide-field camera (WFCAM): commissioning and performance on the telescope

Paul Hirst, Mark Casali, Andy Adamson, Derek Ives, Tom Kerr

Proceedings Volume 6269, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy; 62690Y (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670887
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The UKIRT Wide-Field Camera (WFCAM) was commissioned in two phases between October and December 2004, and March and April 2005. It has been carrying out full-scale sky survey operations since May 2005. This paper describes the commissioning process and compares actual performance on the telescope with specifications in four key areas: optical image quality including delivered FWHM and ghosting etc., noise and sensitivity in the infrared and on the visible autoguider, array artifacts such as crosstalk and persistent images, and observing efficiency. A comprehensive program of science verification was carried out before commencing the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS).

Citation Download Citation

Paul Hirst, Mark Casali, Andy Adamson, Derek Ives, and Tom Kerr "The UKIRT wide-field camera (WFCAM): commissioning and performance on the telescope", Proc. SPIE 6269, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy, 62690Y (28 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670887

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