Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:35, 3 January 2007

Revision as of 16:37, 3 January 2007

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When conducting infrared measurements, it is necessary to keep the infrared detectors cooled to avoid having infrared interference from the instrument's own thermal emissions. NICMOS contains a cryogenic [[dewar]], that cooled its detectors to ~ 61 Kelvin, and optical filters to ~ 105K, with a block of solid [[nitrogen]] ice. When NICMOS was installed in 1997, the [[dewar flask]] contained a 230 pound (104 kg) block of nitrogen ice. Due to a thermal short that arose on March 4, 1997 during the instrument commissioning, the dewar ran out of nitrogen coolant sooner than expected in January, 1999. During Hubble Service Mission 3B in 2002, a [[cryocooler]] and external radiator were installed on the Hubble that now cools NICMOS through a cryogenic [[neon]] loop. NICMOS was returned to service soon after SM 3B, and continues in operation today.

[[Category:Hubble Space Telescope|Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer]]

[[Category:Space science experiments|Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer]]

[[User:128.196.211.48|128.196.211.48]] 18:25, 13 December 2006 (UTC) updated: Glenn Schneider (NICMOS Project Instrument Scientist)