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FORCAST Instrument Overview and Early Science Goals at Cornell University

The FORCAST facility at Cornell University features a dual-channel 256x256 camera equipped with Si BIB arrays, enabling observations in the 5-38 µm range with selectable filters. This instrument emphasizes high spatial resolution and is designed for both demonstrative science observations and collaborations with external researchers. Planned early science objectives include analyzing regions too bright for Spitzer and enhancing spatial resolution on follow-up observations. The detailed timeline spans from pre-ship reviews to the initiation of basic science flights in early 2011.

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FORCAST Instrument Overview and Early Science Goals at Cornell University

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  1. SSSC/SITR: FORCAST September 29, 2009 Cornell University Adams/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 FORCAST Trimester Review

  3. Cryostat window Fold mirrors Camera 1 Camera 2 SOFIA Focal plane 25 mm Collimator mirror FPA FORCAST Optical Raytrace Lyot stop (pupil) f/20 f/5.5 FORCAST Trimester Review

  4. 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 • Selected Early Short Science Objects • Winter/Spring: Orion • Summer: Galactic Center, M17 FORCAST Trimester Review

  5. Early Science Filter Configuration FORCAST Trimester Review

  6. 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 2008 2009 2010 • 10/16/08 Preship Review • 12/09 Ship to DAOF; Post-ship checkout • 1/10 Ground installation • 2/1/10 Lineops #1 • 3/4/10 First Light Flight • 7/6/10 Short Science Flights (also includes facility checkout) • 12/7/10 Start Basic Science Flights J F M A M J J A S O N D Ship to DAOF Basic science flights Preship Review Short science flights Ground integration First light flight FORCAST Trimester Review

  7. Detailed Timeline & Personnel Loading FORCAST Trimester Review

  8. Line Ops Plan FORCAST Trimester Review

  9. Status Chart

  10. FORCAST Calibration Box Design • KRS-5 Lens images a black hot source onto the FORCAST Lyot stop • Chopper blade provides a background source Illumination at the detector Layout in front of FORCAST FORCAST Preship Review

  11. Calibration Box

  12. Lakeshore Mesh Filter Image Quality Grid of 200 µm diam. Pinholes @ field stop (77 K) 24.4 µm 33.4 µm 38.0 µm • Results are consistent with diffraction-limited performance FORCAST Trimester Review

  13. Dichroic Performance Barr 2 has better reflective performance FORCAST Trimester Review

  14. Array Optimization • Sb-083, 30.6 µm + ND2, Low Cap • Detectors are optimized for best S/N vs.: • Detector bias • Well size • Frame time • Determine trade-off between signal vs. dark current, hot pixels FORCAST Trimester Review

  15. Budget Status • FY10 budget • Carry over of travel funds from previous year • Delays will require an additional ~ $100k of support above current allocation • No future funding for larger format Si:As detector FORCAST Trimester Review

  16. Are We Ready? Yes we are!! • FORCAST is working • Mechanisms and software appear very robust • Technical things to do yet (no show stoppers) • End-to-end testing of Calibration Box • Testing of IMC (shift-and-add) • Implement acquisition scripts for lineops flight scenarios • Implement digital detector bias control • Schedule risks • None • Early science planning underway for range of possible flight dates, e.g. Orion or Galactic Center emphasis • GC plan requires tweaking per new (June 2010) schedule for ESS • Line Ops will test different observing strategies (C2N, Scanning, etc.) FORCAST Trimester Review

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