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Science opportunities with the near-IR camera (NIRCam) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

Citation:

Beichman CA, Rieke M, Eisenstein D, Greene TP, Krist J, McCarthy D, Meyer M, Stansberry J. Science opportunities with the near-IR camera (NIRCam) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), in Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series. Vol 8442. ; 2012.

Date Presented:

September 1, 201

Abstract:

The Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on the James Webb Space Telescope(JWST) offers revolutionary gains in sensitivity throughout the 1-5μm region. NIRCam will enable great advances in all areas ofastrophysics, from the composition of objects in our own Kuiper Belt andthe physical properties of planets orbiting nearby stars to theformation of stars and the detection of the youngest galaxies in theUniverse. NIRCam also plays an important role in initial alignment ofJWST and the long term maintenance of its image quality. NIRCam ispresently undergoing instrument Integration and Test in preparation fordelivery to the JWST project. Key near-term milestones include thecompletion of cryogenic testing of the entire instrument; demonstrationof scientific and wavefront sensing performance requirements; testing ofreplacement H2RG detectors arrays; and an analysis of coronagraphicperformance in light of measured telescope wavefront characteristics.This paper summarizes the performance of NIRCam, the scientific andeducation/outreach goals of the science team, and some results of theon-going testing program.

Notes:

ISBN: 9780819491435

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