BIRCAM: A Near-Infrared Camera for The University of Wyoming Red Buttes Observatory

Andrew J. Monson, Michael J. Pierce
2009 Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific  
We describe the design and performance of a near-infrared camera for use at the University of Wyoming 24 inch telescope at Red Buttes Observatory. The camera makes use of a HAWAII-2 2048 × 2048 pixel HgCdTe array, sensitive from 0.9-2.5 μm. The array is operated with a Generation III controller from Astronomical Research Cameras and makes use of a General Use Multi-Channel Preamplifier from IRLabs. The camera optics consist of a compact 1:1 re-imaging Offner relay with a cold pupil mask and
more » ... udes a nine-position filter wheel driven internally with a cryogenically conditioned steppermotor. The primary objective was to develop a low-cost system for testing the HAWAII-2 array and electronics that were acquired for a larger project, while at the same time providing a temporary near-infrared camera for use at Red Buttes Observatory. In this article we present various aspects of the mechanical construction, optics, electronics, and performance.
doi:10.1086/603619 fatcat:je4h2fozkvdvtnxva4b72cavxa