SAFARI imaging spectrometer
Encyclopedia
The SAFARI imaging spectrometer is the European ‘nerve center’ of Japanese infrared telescope SPICA (Space Infra-Red Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics telescope) and is being developed under the leadership of SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
. SAFARI is an infrared camera
with about 6000 pixels that can make real ‘photos’ of the sky in three adjacent wavelength areas. Using a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS)
detailed spectral information is obtained, allowing astronomers to determine the chemical composition of the observed celestial sources. TNO
is developing the mechanism of this FTS.
can. This will allow us to see sources at the level of the cosmic background radiation in the wavelength range between 30 and 210 μm. After its launch, currently planned in 2018, SPICA will thus be able to look even deeper into the universe than Herschel. The space telescope will carry out its exploration from the so-called Second Lagrange point, which is located about 1.5 million kilometers from earth.
. The new and unique infrared imaging spectrometer can fully utilize the ultra-sensitive TES detectors in combination with SPICA’s extremely cold mirror to look even deeper into the far-infrared universe than HIFI. SAFARI will search for the first galaxies to determine how they were formed and how they evolve. Nearer by the instrument will be used to study the ice and water vapor in protoplanetary discs – the physical and chemical conditions in these protoplanetary discs ultimately determine the formation of planets. http://www.jaxa.jp/article/interview/no19/p4_e.html
and European Space Agency ESA
). In addition to this, SRON is responsible for the further development and testing of the detectors for SAFARI (an SRON/UK joint venture), the optomechanics, the quality control, the construction and the system testing for the entire instrument. TNO is one of the partners in the project.
Netherlands Institute for Space Research
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research is the Dutch expertise institute for space research. The Institute develops and uses innovative technology for groundbreaking research in space, focusing on astrophysical research, Earth science and planetary research...
. SAFARI is an infrared camera
Imaging spectrometer
An imaging spectrometer is an instrument used in hyperspectral imaging and imaging spectroscopy to acquire a spectrally-resolved image of an object or scene, often referred to as a datacube due to the three-dimensional representation of the data. Namely, two axes of the image corresponds to...
with about 6000 pixels that can make real ‘photos’ of the sky in three adjacent wavelength areas. Using a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS)
Fourier transform spectroscopy
Fourier transform spectroscopy is a measurement technique whereby spectra are collected based on measurements of the coherence of a radiative source, using time-domain or space-domain measurements of the electromagnetic radiation or other type of radiation....
detailed spectral information is obtained, allowing astronomers to determine the chemical composition of the observed celestial sources. TNO
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek or TNO is a not-for-profit organization in the Netherlands that focuses on applied science. The main office of TNO is located in Delft...
is developing the mechanism of this FTS.
Extremely sensitive infrared detectors
SRON’s leading role in the development of SAFARI is mainly due to the infrared detectors developed by SRON scientists. Extremely sensitive detectors must be used in SAFARI to gain maximum benefit from the low infrared emissions of SPICA’s cooled mirror. In June 2010, an international evaluation committee selected, out of four different technologies, the Transition Edge Sensor (TES) detectors from SRON together with the associated readout electronics.No longer blinded by the mirror
The 3.2 meter diameter mirror of SPICA will be cooled to almost absolute zero (-273 °C). Consequently, the detectors will no longer be ‘blinded’ by the heat radiation emitted by the mirror itself and the instruments will therefore be able to detect even weaker infrared sources than the most sensitive instruments on board ESA’s infrared Herschel Space ObservatoryHerschel Space Observatory
The Herschel Space Observatory is a European Space Agency space observatory sensitive to the far infrared and submillimetre wavebands. It is the largest space telescope ever launched, carrying a single mirror of in diameter....
can. This will allow us to see sources at the level of the cosmic background radiation in the wavelength range between 30 and 210 μm. After its launch, currently planned in 2018, SPICA will thus be able to look even deeper into the universe than Herschel. The space telescope will carry out its exploration from the so-called Second Lagrange point, which is located about 1.5 million kilometers from earth.
Successor to HIFI instrument
SAFARI is the immediate successor to SRON’s molecule hunter HIFI onboard the infrared telescope HerschelHerschel Space Observatory
The Herschel Space Observatory is a European Space Agency space observatory sensitive to the far infrared and submillimetre wavebands. It is the largest space telescope ever launched, carrying a single mirror of in diameter....
. The new and unique infrared imaging spectrometer can fully utilize the ultra-sensitive TES detectors in combination with SPICA’s extremely cold mirror to look even deeper into the far-infrared universe than HIFI. SAFARI will search for the first galaxies to determine how they were formed and how they evolve. Nearer by the instrument will be used to study the ice and water vapor in protoplanetary discs – the physical and chemical conditions in these protoplanetary discs ultimately determine the formation of planets. http://www.jaxa.jp/article/interview/no19/p4_e.html
Leading role of SRON
The SAFARI project is complex from both a technological and organizational viewpoint. As Principal Investigator, SRON coordinates the collaboration between the large number of international partners (including JAXAJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
and European Space Agency ESA
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
). In addition to this, SRON is responsible for the further development and testing of the detectors for SAFARI (an SRON/UK joint venture), the optomechanics, the quality control, the construction and the system testing for the entire instrument. TNO is one of the partners in the project.
External links
- SRON Homepage - ESA
- Official website - JAXA