RASICAM
As a radiometric all-sky infrared camera (RASICAM) is optimized to detect the position, motion and optical depth of thin, high (8-10 km) cirrus clouds and contrails by measuring their apparent temperature above the night sky background. The camera system utilizes a novel wide-field equi-resolution catadioptric mirror system that provides sky coverage of 360º in azimuth and 14-90° from zenith.
RASICAM
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Name(s)
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RASICAM (Radiometric All-Sky Infrared CAMera)
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Status
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Operational
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Broad Science Goals
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Allow automated real-time quantitative assessment of night sky conditions for the Dark Energy Camera (DECam)
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Site
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Cerro Tololo, Chile
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Location Coordinates
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30º 10’ 04.33"S
70º 48’ 19.36"W
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Altitude
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2204 meters (7230 feet)
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Enclosure
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Fiberglass cone
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Type
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Infrared camera (9.81μm to 12.45 μm)
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Optical Design
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Catadioptric
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Field of View
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152 degrees, 360º in azimuth and 14-90° from zenith.
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Diameter: Primary M1
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0.6 meters
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Material: Primary M1
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Aluminum
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Mount
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None
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First Light Date
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2011
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Adaptive Optics
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None
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Images taken with RASICAM
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Link |
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Images of RASICAM
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Link |
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Videos of RASICAM
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Link |
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Press Releases with RASICAM
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Link |
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Please help us to complete this page by emailing information and corrections to info@noirlab.edu.