Some of the most interesting discoveries about objects in the early universe come from observations in the infrared spectrum. There are a number of relatively mature technologies for infrared imaging, but science-grade detectors in the dominant infrared imaging material systems (such as HgCdTe and InSb) are very expensive. A survey instrument with a wide field of view requires a large focal plane, which can make infrared survey cameras prohibitively costly.
The InGaAs Fly’s Eye attempts to address this issue by using off-the-shelf Indium Gallium Arsenide sensors to build a camera for a fraction of the cost of other technologies. InGaAs sensors have only recently reached a quality level that makes them competative with other infrared detector techonologies. Rather than build a a single large focal plane, the InGaAs Fly’s Eye will use a number of small cameras to create a composite image that covers a large area of the sky.
The Astronomical Instrumentation Team has constructed a prototype InGaAs Camera in order to test prove the viaiblity of our InGaAs Fly’s Eye concept. This camera consistent of a FLIR 640×512 AP1121 sensor, a reimaging lens assembly (to allow our camera to interface with an existing telescope,) and associated control electronics. Once the camera was working, we took it to Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, and attached it to the 2.5 meter Irénée du Pont telescope to test its on-sky performance.
Rob and Tim inspect the installed Fly’s Eye Camera
At the du Pont telescope, we used a three-night observing run to put the prototype camera through its paces. We observed several galaxies, a supernova, a high-redshift quasar, and even an exoplanet transit! The data from these runs suggest that InGaAs cameras are a viable alternative for Y and J-Band astronomy, and that this technology is going places.
Tim and Drew prepare the InGaAs Fly’s Eye prototype for installation on the du Pont Telescope
Inside the du Pont Telescope dome
Waiting for the sun to set on the exterior catwalk of the du Pont Telescope
NGC 1313 observed with the InGaAs Fly’s Eye camera