08.11.2014 Views

Wide Field Camera 3 Instrument Handbook for Cycle 19 - Space ...

Wide Field Camera 3 Instrument Handbook for Cycle 19 - Space ...

Wide Field Camera 3 Instrument Handbook for Cycle 19 - Space ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

14 Chapter 2: WFC3 <strong>Instrument</strong> Description<br />

Figure 2.4: IR Filter Wheel<br />

2.3.3 Shutter Mechanism<br />

Integration times in the UVIS channel are controlled via a mechanical shutter blade<br />

very similar in design to the ACS/WFC shutter. Sitting directly behind the SOFA, the<br />

WFC3 UVIS shutter is a rotating disk about 12 inches in diameter; it is divided into<br />

four 90° quadrants, with alternating quadrants providing the blocking (i.e., there are<br />

two open and two closed positions). When the shutter is in the closed position initially,<br />

a commanded move of 90° places it into an open configuration; at the end of the<br />

exposure, another move of 90° places the shutter back into a closed position. Although<br />

the shutter can be operated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the<br />

current flight software always moves the blade in the same direction.<br />

For very short exposure times in the UVIS channel, there are minor issues with<br />

exposure time non-uni<strong>for</strong>mity (Section 6.7.1) and blurring due to shutter-induced<br />

vibration (Section 6.9.5).<br />

There is no mechanical shutter in the IR channel; instead, the detector provides<br />

electronic shuttering. Dark-current measurements are obtained by using the BLANK,<br />

an opaque blocker in the filter wheel, which also is used to prevent the detector from<br />

viewing the Earth during occultations.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!