The **LSST Camera**, part of the Rubin Observatory, is an impressive piece of astronomical technology. Let's delve into the details:
1. **Size and Weight**:
- The LSST Camera is the **largest digital camera ever constructed** for astronomy.
- It measures approximately **5.5 feet (1.65 meters) by 9.8 feet (3 meters)**, which is roughly the size of a small car.
- Its weight is a hefty **6200 pounds (2800 kilograms)**.
2. **Aperture and Wavelength Range**:
- This camera is a **large-aperture, wide-field optical imager**.
- It can capture light across a broad spectrum, from the **near ultraviolet to near infrared** (wavelengths of **0.3-1 m**).
3. **Field of View and Pixel Sensitivity**:
- The LSST Camera provides a **3.5-degree field of view**.
- Its **10 m pixels** allow for **0.2 arcsecond sampling**, balancing pixel sensitivity and resolution.
- The image surface is flat, with a diameter of approximately **25.2 inches (64 centimeters)**.
4. **Pixel Count and Detector Format**:
- The camera employs a mosaic of **189 silicon detectors**, each with **16 megapixels**.
- These detectors are arranged on **21 "rafts"**, resulting in a total of about **3.2 gigapixels**.
5. **Additional Features**:
- The LSST Camera includes a **filter-changing mechanism** and a **shutter**.
- It is positioned in the middle of the telescope to optimize optical vignetting and control heat dissipation.
In summary, the LSST Camera is a technological marvel, poised to produce high-quality astronomical data with minimal downtime and maintenance. Its capabilities will enhance our understanding of the cosmos! ?