The effects of cosmic rays and solar flares on the IRAC detectors: the first two years of in-flight operation

Joseph L. Hora; Brian M. Patten; Giovanni G. Fazio; William J. Glaccum

doi:10.1117/12.672017

15 June 2006 The effects of cosmic rays and solar flares on the IRAC detectors: the first two years of in-flight operation

Joseph L. Hora, Brian M. Patten, Giovanni G. Fazio, William J. Glaccum

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6276, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy II; 62760J (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672017
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) is a four-channel camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope, one of three focal plane science instruments. IRAC uses two pairs of 256×256 pixel InSb and Si:As IBC detectors to provide simultaneous imaging at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8 μm. IRAC experiences a flux of cosmic rays and solar protons that produce transient effects in science images from each of the arrays, with 4-6 pixels per second being affected during each integration. During extreme solar flares, IRAC experiences a much higher rate of transients which affects the science data quality. We present cosmic ray rates and observed detector characteristics for IRAC during the first two years of science operation, and rates observed in a period of elevated solar proton flux during an intense solar flare in January 2005. We show the changes to the IRAC detectors observed since launch, and assess their impacts to the science data quality.

Citation Download Citation

Joseph L. Hora, Brian M. Patten, Giovanni G. Fazio, and William J. Glaccum "The effects of cosmic rays and solar flares on the IRAC detectors: the first two years of in-flight operation", Proc. SPIE 6276, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy II, 62760J (15 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672017

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