QUEST camera I: a 67-megapixel CCD camera optimized for a driftscan quasar search

Jeffrey A. Snyder

doi:10.1117/12.316788

9 July 1998 QUEST camera I: a 67-megapixel CCD camera optimized for a driftscan quasar search

Jeffrey A. Snyder

Proceedings Volume 3355, Optical Astronomical Instrumentation; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.316788
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

The Quasar Equatorial Survey Team (QUEST) collaboration has built and commissioned a large CCD-based astronomical camera covering most of the focal pale of the 1 meter Schmidt telescope at the Llano del Hato National Observatory (ONLH) in Venezuela. The camera consists of a 4 X 4 mosaic of CCDs. The CCDs are a standard astronomical design with front- illuminated (coated) 2048 X 2048 15 micrometer pixels. Using a novel position adjustment technique and precision CCD alignment, we are able to driftscan within 6 degrees of the celestial equator. Using a combination of UBV filters and an objective prism, we expect to discover quasars in unprecedented numbers and with well understood, quantifiable systematic effects. Such a quasar sample can be used to study cosmological questions -- large-scale structure of the universe, distribution of dark matter via gravitational lensing and Hubble's constant via gravitational lensing time delays -- as well as many other topics. Preliminary commissioning results will be presented along with preliminary quasar identification results. A second-generation camera (403 Mpixels, back-illuminated 4 X 24 mosaic with 1024 X 4096 7.5 micrometer pixel CCDs) is being designed.

Citation Download Citation

Jeffrey A. Snyder "QUEST camera I: a 67-megapixel CCD camera optimized for a driftscan quasar search", Proc. SPIE 3355, Optical Astronomical Instrumentation, (9 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.316788

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