Astronomical Instruments

The existence of excellent infrared detectors solves only part of the problem of producing excellent infrared astronomical observations. The other part is producing high-quality infrared instruments to place the image or spectrum on the array. Although there are many types of instruments for measuring aspects of the radiation, such 

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Reflective coatings are found in astronomical instruments, telescopes, spectrometers, rangefinders, projectors, microfilm readers, television tubes, diffraction gratings, interferometers, beam splitters, lasers, and many other applications. 

Based on the micro-electronics fabrication process, Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS) have not yet been used in astronomical instrumentation, but this technology will provide the key to small, low-cost, light, and scientifically efficient instruments, and allow impressive breakthroughs in tomorrow s observational astronomy. Two major applications of MOEMS are foreseen ... 

Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS) will be widely integrated in new astronomical instruments for future Extremely Large Telescopes, as well as for existing lOm-class telescopes. The two major applications are programmable slit masks for Multi-Object Spectroscopy (see Ch. 12) and deformable mirrors for Adaptive Optics systems. Eirst prototypes have shown their capabilities. However, big efforts have stiU to be done in order to reach the requirements and to realize reliable devices. 

The Laboratoire d Astrophysique de Marseille is developing since several years an expertise in the design and characterization of micro-optical components, as well as in their integration in astronomical instruments. 

A strong collaboration between micro-optics and astronomy will certainly lead to reach the best scientific return for the lowest cost in next generation astronomical instrumentation for ground-based and space telescopes. 

Limited temporal resolution - Focal plane arrays are aU inherently framing detectors and knowledge of the arrival time of photons is limited to the frame time of the detector. While the frame time can be quite short for adaptive optics detectors ( 1 ms), in most astronomical instruments the frame time is on the order of seconds or minutes, adequate for most astronomical science, but not all. 

For an excellent overview of aU aspects of astronomical instrumentation, please see the classic textbook by Ian Mclxan. This book contains a very good pedantic explanation of optical and infrared detectors. 

Astronomical Instrumentation Group, Physics Dept. South Rd, Durham DHl 3LE, UK j.r.allington-smith durham.ac.uk... 

As gamma rays pay no heed to lenses and mirrors, INTEGRAL is a rather special telescope, resembhng rather a nuclear physics installation than an astronomical instrument. As a result, its resolving power will be much lower than that of an optical, UV or X-ray telescope. The identification of gamma sources will thus require support from more conventional forms of astronomy. INTEGRAL is an ESA project. 

While historians have attributed Lavoisier s penchant for precision instruments to his inclinations as an experimental physicist, the instruments of experimental physics such as the thermometer and the barometer were not as precise as the astronomical instruments Maurice Daumas, Les Instruments scientifiques aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siecles (Presses universitaires de France, 1953), translated as Scientific Instruments of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries (Praeger, 1953). The precision of the sector was a key issue, for example, in the debate between Cassini and Maupertuis Mary Terrall, Representing the Earth s Shape, Isis 83, 1992, 218-237. 

Today, the HST has accumulated a track record that far exceeds that of any other astronomical instrument and even the most optimistic hopes of its inventors and controllers. Each day, the telescope sends back 3 to 5 gigabytes of data, enough to fill the average home computer. It has made more than 330,000 separate observations of more than 25,000 astronomical targets, including stars, galaxies, planets, comets, and just about every other kind of astronomical object known to science. The HST has provided data for more than 2,700 scientific papers and produced an archive of more than 7.3 terabytes to keep astronomers busy for years into the future. 

Moreover, ultraprecision grinding, often with ELK), is used for small batch production of physical and astronomical instrumentation. In the wafer industry, ultraprecision grinding is of increasing importance for the fabrication of large (300 mm diameter) silicon wafers. It is hoped that the future development of ultraprecision grinding will also stimulate the fabrication of microstructured optical mold inserts for the mass production of next generation illumination devices. 

Catadioptic telescopes use both lenses and mirrors. The most widely used astronomical instruments in this class are the Maksutov telescope and the Schmidt... 

Chapman, Allan. Astronomical Instruments and Their Users Tycho Brahe to William Lassell. Brookfield, Vt Variorum, 1996. 

Paranina, G.N, Paranin, R.V, 2009b. Northern labyrinths as astronomical instruments in relation to patterns of mythology and symbols of culture. Society. Environment. Development. 4(13) 120-134. 

Cavendish published 18 papers in the Philosophical Transactions 10 on chemistry, 2 on electricity, 2 on meteorology, 3 on astronomy, and one (his last) on a method of dividing astronomical instruments. He also left a large amount of unpublished work. His published and unpublished electrical researches were edited by Clerk Maxwell, who spent much time and trouble in carrying out many mathematical calculations and performing experiments. The valuable material in Cavendish s unpublished papers was first revealed by Vernon Harcourt at the Birmingham meeting of the British Association in 1839(seep. 302). 

REFRACTIVE OPTICAL SYSTEMS FOR ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS USING INFRARED ARRAYS IN THE 0.8 TO 2.5 MICRON BANDS... 

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