Astronomical applications of a computed tomography imaging spectrometer with an adaptive optics telescope

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

Hege 0088598 Abstract The Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) will be used to evaluate an instrument and technique for simultaneously collecting adaptive optics compensated images in 31 spectral bands. This instrument is a computed tomography imaging spectrometer (CTIS) which maximizes telescope throughput to enable simultaneous integration of a 3 dimensional stack of images, where the third dimension of the stack is wavelength. An aperture stop is used at the focal plane to define the chief ray for the edge of the field of view. The system applies a computer generated, two-dimensionally dispersing holographic grating, which produces a 0-order direct image and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order images. Scientific applications include investigations of extended regions around symbiotic stars, proto-planetary systems, and identification of faint companions. ***