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Home > Information for Researchers > 1st Generation Instruments > SAFIRE

1st Generation Instruments

 

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CAltech Submillimeter Interstellar Medium Investigations Receiver
German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahetz Frequencies
First Light Infrared Test Experiment CAMera
Submillimeter And Far InfraRed Experiment
High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultation
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Water Vapor Monitor
 

SAFIRE
Name of Instrument: SAFIRE -Submillimeter And Far InfraRed Experiment
Instrument type: Imaging Fabry-Perot
Bolometer array spectrometer
145-655 microns R=100 to 1,900

Principal Investigator/
Contact :

Dr. S. H. Moseley
dominic.benford@gsfc.nasa.gov
Institute: NASA -GSFC
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Science Team Page: http://safir.gsfc.nasa.gov/safire

Scientific/Technical Abstract:

SAFIRE is a versatile imaging Fabry-Perot spectrograph covering the spectral region from 145 to 655 µm with spectral resolving powers ranging from 5 to 104. The instrument uses two 8 x 32 arrays of bolometers to provide background limited performance for critical science applications. A chain of fixed and tunable fabry-perot filters provide a wide choice of order selection and fixed spectral resolution. The nominal field of view is about 2.7 x 5.3 arc-minutes. This may be effected by the spectral resolution desired and consequent configuration of the instrument.

SAFIRE can determine the energy balance and physical conditions in many important phases of the interstellar and circumstellar environment by imaging these regions in lines arising from molecular, atomic and ionized components, along with the dust emission. These observations are critical to achieving a clear understanding of the process which result in the formation of stars, and which control star formation on a galactic scale in starburst galaxies. SAFIRE can also examine active galactic nuclei, cooling flows in galaxy clusters, circumstellar debris disks, and the chemistry of the outer planets.

SAFIRE Performance Summary – Instrument sensitivity and resolution summary is provided to permit estimating feasibility of scientific investigations.

go to spectral resolution summary

go to sensitivity summary

go to angular resolution summary

download performance summary in pdf format Download
Performance Summary 		go get acrobat plug-in Get Acrobat Reader

All sensitivity and resolution data are preliminary, and based on anticipated performance of the observatory and the instrument.  Actual performance of the SOFIA telescope and instrument combination will be established after flight operations begin.  Telescope performance is expected to be upgraded during the first two years, and instrument performance may be upgraded, or additional modes or capabilities may be added.

Performance estimates given here are based on data supplied by the instrument team. Further details and updates may be obtained from the instrument team via the contact information given above.

Further References:

go to instrument paper presentations
go to insturment team web site

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Page Last Updated: December 21, 2006
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