Characterizing the red optical sky background fluctuations from narrow-band imaging

M. Puech; H. Flores; Y. B. Yang; M. Rodrigues; T. Gonçalves; F. Hammer; K. Disseau

doi:10.1117/12.925897

24 September 2012 Characterizing the red optical sky background fluctuations from narrow-band imaging

M. Puech, H. Flores, Y. B. Yang, M. Rodrigues, T. Gonçalves, F. Hammer, K. Disseau

Proceedings Volume 8446, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV; 84467L (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925897
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

The detection and characterization of the physical properties of very distant galaxies will be one the prominent science case of all future Extremely Large Telescopes, including the 39m E-ELT. Multi-Object Spectroscopic instruments are potentially very important tools for studying these objects, and in particular fiber-based concepts. However, detecting and studying such faint and distant sources will require subtraction of the sky background signal (i.e., between OH airglow lines) with an accuracy of 1%. This requires a precise and accurate knowledge of the sky background temporal and spatial fluctuations. Using FORS2 narrow-band filter imaging data, we are currently investigating what are the fluctuations of the sky background at 9000A. We present preliminary results of sky background fluctuations from this study over spatial scales reaching 4 arcmin, as well as first glimpses into the temporal variations of such fluctuations over timescales of the order of the hour. This study (and other complementary on-going studies) will be essential in designing the next-generation fiber-fed instruments for the E-ELT.

Citation Download Citation

M. Puech, H. Flores, Y. B. Yang, M. Rodrigues, T. Gonçalves, F. Hammer, and K. Disseau "Characterizing the red optical sky background fluctuations from narrow-band imaging", Proc. SPIE 8446, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, 84467L (24 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925897

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