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SSSC/SITR: FORCAST

SSSC/SITR: FORCAST. December 11, 2008 Cornell University. Herter. FORCAST Description. Facility Instrument Dual-Channel 256x256 Camera w/ Si BIB arrays 5-25  m with Si:As array 25-38  m with Si:Sb array 0.75 arcsec/pixel giving a 3.2  3.2 arcmin FOV

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SSSC/SITR: FORCAST

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  1. SSSC/SITR: FORCAST December 11, 2008 Cornell University Herter

  2. FORCAST Description • Facility Instrument • Dual-Channel 256x256 Camera w/ Si BIB arrays • 5-25 m with Si:As array • 25-38 m with Si:Sb array • 0.75 arcsec/pixel giving a 3.23.2 arcmin FOV • Selectable Filters in 5-38 m range

  3. FORCAST/SOFIA Early Science Goals • Perform demonstrative science observations • Emphasize unique capabilities of SOFIA/FORCAST • Observations at 30 – 40 µm • High spatial resolution in the mid-IR (2″ - 4″) • Build collaborations between the science instrument team and external investigators • Bridge SOFIA observations with Spitzer observations • Follow-up of regions that are too bright for Spitzer • Follow-up of Spitzer objects with higher spatial resolution • Prime Science Objects • Winter/Spring: Orion • Summer: Galactic Center, M17

  4. J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D Early Science Timeline 2007 2008 2009 2010 • 10/08 Pre-ship Review • 01/09/09 Ship to Palmdale • 01/29/09 Ground installation (on plane through 03/31/09) • 05/25/09 Short Science Flights (also includes facility checkout) early science flights GIRR ground integration

  5. Detailed Timeline & Personnel loading Note: Normal procedure is to allow two weeks before installation for unpacking, cool down, and checkout. This allows time for another warm up and cool down in case there are any issues.

  6. Highlights

  7. Status chart

  8. Issues and Mitigations • Severity Levels: Critical (instrument at risk), major (instrument functionality at risk), and minor (no loss of functionality) • Impact can be on science, schedule, and/or budget

  9. FORCAST Dichroic • 2nd gen. dichroic tested (Barr 3) • CdSe and/or PbTe coating on Si Substrate • Performance same as previous one (Barr 2) Above: dichroics before and after mounting

  10. Budget Status • FY08 budget • Original allocation – $1320K • Expenditures • No additional funds necessary

  11. Galactic Center Flight Plan

  12. FORCAST GC Fields MIPS 24 mm map w/ MSX 21 mmfor saturated areas • 3 flights, each with 2 hrs on GC; observations at 24, 30, & 38 mm • t_exp = 60 s, 75% efficiency, asymmetric chop w/ off-source nod Working on more pessimistic plans and identifying chop and nod fields.

  13. Galactic Center Flight Plan

  14. Are We Ready? • FORCAST is working • Mechanisms and software appear very robust • Funding risks • Current budget is adequate • Technical items in work (test this cool-down) • New FPGA code • Shift and add • Driven by documentation – not technical issues • Detail planning almost complete for Galactic Center observations

  15. Contingency Plans • What we would like to do if flights are delayed – • Improve on “38 mm” throughput • Dichroic is our blocker • Test MgO filter at “detector” (get really cold) • Lakeshore is now producing long wavelength filters – fabricate and test • Optimize data acquisition • Implement/try scanning rather than chopping for increased efficiency

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