The COronal Diagnostic EXperiment (CODEX) is a Heliophysics mission to measure the density, temperature, and velocity of the electrons in the solar corona with the primary goal of improving our understanding of the physical conditions of the solar wind in the acceleration region. The temperature and velocity measurement requires much higher signal-to-noise ratio than the density measurements. In solar coronagraphs, the diffraction of the solar disk light due to the occulting element is the dominant source of noise. Therefore, to further suppress the diffracted sun light with respect to the existing coronagraphs is a critical element of the CODEX design. To minimize the stray light due to diffraction, the selected optical design is a two-stage standard coronagraph with an external occulter, an internal occulter, and a Lyot stop. What is unique for this design is that a focal mask was inserted at the telescope focal plane. It works together with the field lens suppressing the stray light down by ~ another order of magnitude as compared to a traditional three-stage approach. During the optical design, a Fourier Transform based beam propagation software, i.e., GLAD, was used to model the beam path through the full coronagraph, from the external occulter to the detector array. All diffraction sensitive elements: external occulter, internal occulter, focal mask, and Lyot stop were carefully modeled and optimized. As a result, the requirement of achieving a stray light level which is one order of magnitude lower than F-corona was satisfied. On the other hand, to achieve the final suppression, a precision optical alignment is another must. This paper also presents our creative alignment procedure: using the combination of metrology, precision alignment equipment, and real time diffraction ring monitoring to minimize the diffraction. The final test results show that the suppression ratio (B/B0) reaches 10-11 level, which is equivalent to one order of magnitude lower than F-corona.
The COronal Diagnostic EXperiment (CODEX) is the solar coronagraph developed by NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center in collaboration with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). CODEX will be launched in September 2024 and will be hosted by the International Space Station (ISS) as an external payload. CODEX is designed to observe the linearly polarized K-corona within the wavelength range 385-440 nm to obtain simultaneous measurements of density, temperature, and radial velocity of the coronal electrons. CODEX is a two-stage externally occulted coronagraph, with a field of view of 2.67 degrees, featuring two fold mirrors, and a series of occulting elements that minimize the amount of diffracted light reaching the detector. The polarization of the solar corona is measured by means of a commercial polarization image sensor manufactured by Sony, the IMX253MZR, that spatially modulates the incoming light beam. The polarimetric characterization of the instrument is one of the fundamental steps to derive the desired physical quantities of the solar corona from observations. It is hence crucial to understand how the instrument modifies the incident polarized light, especially due to the presence of the two fold mirror system within the light path, which is notoriously a source of polarization aberrations. This work describes the polarimetric characterization of the CODEX coronagraph, to determine an estimation of the instrumental polarization, and the results are presented.
GrainCams is a suite comprising two cameras: SurfCam and LevCam, developed by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) for the Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS). SurfCam utilizes a light field camera with a Micro Lens Array (MLA) to capture 3D images of the fairy castle structures on the lunar surface. LevCam is designed to detect dust lofting above the lunar surface. Surviving extreme environments, including launch vibrations, lunar surface temperatures, space radiation, etc., necessitates thorough safety reviews, verification, and reliable ground testing of the system. This paper presents the comprehensive test results of GrainCams engineering qualification model (EQM), along with the cameras' performance following space environment tests such as Total Ionizing Dose (TID), Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC), vibration/shock, and thermal-vacuum tests. Performance test analysis plays a crucial role in ensuring mission success. TID and EMC tests assess the space radiation endurance and electronic compatibility of the electrical components. The vibration/shock test evaluates mechanical stiffness and frequency characteristics during launch. Additionally, GrainCams undergoes temperature variation in the thermal-vacuum test to assess system performance under lunar operational conditions. Our demonstration confirms that GrainCams meet system requirements, and their performance in harsh environments is substantiated by the shared test results.
The discovery of a fair sample of Earth-analogues (Earth 2.0’s), i.e. rocky, Earth-mass exoplanets orbiting a Solar-type star in that host star’s habitable zone, and a subsequent search of evidence of bioactivity on those Earth 2.0’s by the detection of biogenically produced molecules in those exoplanetary atmospheres, are two of the most urgent observational programs in astrophysics and science in general. To identify an Earth 2.0, it is necessary to measure the reflex motion radial velocity amplitude of the host star at the 10 cm/sec level, a precision considerably below that which is currently achievable with existing instruments. The follow-on project to search for the biomarkers in an Earth 2.0’s atmosphere may require an effective planet/star contrast of 10-10, again well below the currently achievable level. In this paper, we discuss technical innovations in the implementation of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) spectrograph that will enable these observational objectives. We discuss plans to operate G-CLEF at the Magellan Clay telescope with the MagAO-X adaptive optics system and subsequently with GMagAO-X at the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is developing GrainCams as a candidate payload for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) mission. GrainCams consists of two cameras designed for scientific research on the lunar regolith and levitating particulates. One of them is LevCam, which observes the motion of levitating dust over the lunar surface. The other is SurfCam, a camera intended for observing the uppermost regolith on the lunar surface. The purpose of SurfCam is to get knowledge of the regolith on the lunar surface and obtain 3D images of the micro-structures through image processing with a micro-lens array (MLA). SurfCam consists of 1 cover window, 12 spherical lenses, and MLA. All optics use space-qualified glass material to carry out a one-lunar-day mission on the moon. Optical and mechanical designs have been developed so far, and an analysis of how stray light affects the overall system has been conducted. In this paper, I will describe the analysis of ghosting and scattering effects in SurfCam through stray light analysis.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is currently developing GrainCams as a candidate payload for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). GrainCams consists of two instruments to be mounted on a rover: LevCam, which observes levitating dust near the lunar surface, and SurfCam, designed to observe lunar regolith. Over the past two years, LevCam and SurfCam have been engaged in optical and optomechanical design work, conducting various analyses to assess manufacturability. SurfCam, being a light field camera, has seen the development of a prototype to measure initial optical performance, along with conducting preliminary assembly and alignment. Despite some minor optical specification changes this year, the overall development is still ongoing. The paper will cover SurfCam's assembly and alignment strategies and performance measurement aspects.
The Sun-Earth Lagrange point L4 is the most stable location among the five Lagrange points at 1 AU. The L4 mission affords a clear and wide-angel view of the Sun-Earth line for the study of the Sun-Earth, Sun-Moon, and Sun-Mars connections from remote-sensing observations. The L4 mission will significantly contribute to advancing heliophysics science, improving the capability of space weather forecasting, and extending space weather studies beyond near-Earth space. This presentation outlines the importance of L4 observations and advocates comprehensive and coordinated observations of the heliosphere at multi-points including other planned L1 and L5 missions. In addition, conceptual designs are provided for an optical telescope for solar H-alpha and photospheric magnetic field observation, and a EUV telescope for solar corona.
We are developing the KASI-Deep Rolling Imaging Fast Telescope Generation 1 (K-DRIFT G1) based on the on-site performance assessment of the K-DRIFT pathfinder. The telescope is a confocal off-axis freeform three-mirror system designed for the detection of extremely low surface brightness structures in the sky. The optical specifications of the K-DRIFT G1 are as follows: the entrance pupil diameter is 300 mm, the focal ratio is 3.5, the field of view is 4.43° × 4.43°, and the image area is 81.2 mm × 81.2 mm with 10 μm pixels. We performed sensitivity analysis and tolerance simulations to integrate and align the system. We present the analysis results and development plan of the K-DRIFT G1.
GrainCams is a lunar rover payload designed to explore lunar dust. It is a suite of two light field cameras: SurfCam and LevCam. The main goal of SurfCam is to provide 3D imaging of fairy castle structures believed to exist on the lunar surface. LevCam’s objective is to understand dust speed and track the trail of lofting dust on the lunar surface. The mechanical stiffness of the camera is capable of enduring the vibration and shock conditions of the launcher. Thus, we conducted the opto-mechanical design for Surfam and analyzed the safety through theoretical estimation. The safety of whole structure is also reviewed from structural analysis such as linear static analysis and modal analysis. These cameras will operate in the extreme temperature of the moon. To achieve a viable thermal design despite the extreme lunar thermal environment and uncertainty of the payload interface with the rover, we assumed a thermal adiabatic payload interface and employed passive (e.g., thermal insulation blankets (MLIs), surface control of thermal radiation, specially designed radiators with an inclination angle of 36.5° to effectively avoid Solar flux and maximize unobstructed view of space relative to the lunar surface in hot cases) and active (e.g., heaters) thermal control techniques. Each camera should weigh no more than 5 kg and consume no more than 20 W of power. In this paper, we present the preliminary results of the structure design of GrainCams.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is working on a project, the Republic of Korea Imaging Test System shortly called ROKITS, which is an optical system that aims to study the formation and occurrence of the aurora. The main objective is to gain insights into the changes occurring in the atmosphere, particularly the upper atmosphere, due to external energy sources from outside the Earth. Additionally, the system will investigate the feasibility of detecting atmospheric waves, specifically atmospheric gravity waves, which spread from the lower atmosphere. To achieve these scientific goals, 90 degrees of a wide field of view and a very narrow bandwidth of filters in a specific wavelength are required, and this paper will present information on the optical design and related analysis.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is developing GrainCam as a candidate payload for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). GrainCam is a suite of two light field cameras: one of which is called SurfCam to observe the uppermost regolith on the lunar surface, and the other is LevCam to observe levitating dust over the lunar surface. This paper includes SurfCam's optical design and related analyses. The main goal of SurfCam is to get knowledge of the regolith on the lunar surface and obtain 3D images of the micro-structures through image processing with a micro-lens array (MLA). SurfCam consists of 1 cover glass and 12 spherical lenses. All lenses use space-qualified glass material to carry out a one-lunar-day mission on the moon and are designed to keep the required performance at the operating temperature of -20 ~ +60°𝐶. SurfCam based on the design works will conduct various tests to verify the overall performance through assembly and alignment.
This paper describes the deployment of the GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) at the Clay telescope, one of the two Magellan telescopes, in late 2025, moving to the GMT in 2030. G-CLEF is a fiber-fed, ultra-high stability optical band echelle spectrograph designed for extremely precise stellar radial velocity measurement. On the Magellan Clay telescope, G-CLEF will take spectra with resolution up to ~300,000, fully resolving molecular spectral features and opening totally new discovery space for exoplanet atmosphere composition studies. G@M will also be coupled to the Magellan extreme adaptive optics facility, MagAO-X which will allow it to spatially resolve several exoplanets from their host stars. We provide a system description of the G@M instrument as it will be configured at Magellan. A top-level review of optomechanics, electronics and control systems follows, as well as a description of several risk-reduction exercises the team has undertaken.
This conference presentation was prepared for the Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IX conference at SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) is one of the first instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). The G-CLEF is a fiber fed, optical band echelle spectrograph that is capable of extremely precise radial velocity measurement. The G-CLEF Flexure Control Camera (FCC) is included as a part in the G-CLEF Front End Assembly (GCFEA), which monitors the field images focused on a fiber mirror to control the flexure and the focus errors within the GCFEA. The five optical components constituting the FCC are aligned on a common optical bench. The order of the optical train is: a collimator, neutral density filters, a focus analyzer, a reimaging camera barrel, and a detector module. The collimator receives the beam reflected by the fiber mirror and consists of a triplet lens. The neutral density filters are located just after the collimator to make it possible a broad range star brightness as a target or a guide. The tent prism focus analyzer is positioned at a pupil produced by the collimator and is used to measure a focus offset. The reimaging camera barrel includes two pairs of doublet lenses to focus the beam onto the CCD focal plane. The detector module is composed of a linear translator and a field de-rotator. In this article, we present the optical and mechanical detailed designs of the G-CLEF FCC.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) is an instrument that is being designed to exceed the state-of-the-art radial velocity (RV) precision achievable with the current generation of stellar velocimeters. It is simultaneously being designed to enable a wide range of scientific programs, prominently by operating to blue wavelengths (< 3500Å). G-CLEF will be the first light facility instrument on the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) when the GMT is commissioned in 2023. G-CLEF is a fiber-fed, vacuum-enclosed spectrograph with an asymmetric white pupil echelle design. We discuss several innovative structural, optical and control system features that differentiate G-CLEF from previous precision RV instruments.
Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) has been developing the Camera Lens System (CLS) for the Total Solar Eclipse (TSE) observation. In 2016 we have assembled a simple camera system including a camera lens, a polarizer, bandpass filters, and CCD to observe the solar corona during the Total Solar Eclipse in Indonesia. Even we could not obtain the satisfactory result in the observation due to poor environment, we obtained some lessons such as poor image quality due to ghost effect from the lens system. For 2017 TSE observation, we have studied and adapted the compact coronagraph design proposed by NASA. The compact coronagraph design dramatically reduces the volume and weight and can be used for TSE observation without an external occulter which blocks the solar disk. We are in developing another camera system using the compact coronagraph design to test and verify key components including bandpass filter, polarizer, and CCD, and it will be used for the Total Solar Eclipse (TSE) in 2017. We plan to adapt this design for a coronagraph mission in the future. In this report we introduce the progress and current status of the project and focus on optical engineering works including designing, analyzing, testing, and building for the TSE observation.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) is a fiber-fed, optical echelle spectrograph selected as the first light instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) now under construction at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. G-CLEF has been designed to be a general-purpose echelle spectrograph with precision radial velocity (PRV) capability for exoplanet detection. The radial velocity (RV) precision goal of G-CLEF is 10 cm/sec, necessary for detection of Earth-sized exoplanets. This goal imposes challenging stability requirements on the optical mounts and the overall spectrograph support structures especially when considering the instrument’s operational environment. The accuracy of G-CLEF’s PRV measurements will be influenced by minute changes in temperature and ambient air pressure as well as vibrations and micro gravity-vector variations caused by normal telescope slewing. For these reasons we have chosen to enclose G-CLEF’s spectrograph in a well-insulated, vibration isolated vacuum chamber in a gravity invariant location on GMT’s azimuth platform. Additional design constraints posed by the GMT telescope include: a limited space envelope, a thermal emission ceiling, and a maximum weight allowance. Other factors, such as manufacturability, serviceability, available technology and budget are also significant design drivers. All of the above considerations must be managed while ensuring performance requirements are achieved. In this paper, we discuss the design of G-CLEF’s optical mounts and support structures including the choice of a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) carbon-fiber optical bench to minimize the system’s sensitivity to thermal soaks and gradients. We discuss design choices made to the vacuum chamber geared towards minimize the influence of daily ambient pressure variations on image motion during observation. We discuss the design of G-CLEF’s insulated enclosure and thermal control systems which will maintain the spectrograph at milli-Kelvin level stability while simultaneously limiting thermal emissions into the telescope dome. Also discussed are micro gravity-vector variations caused by normal telescope slewing, their uncorrected influence on image motion, and how they are dealt with in the design. Finally, we discuss G-CLEF’s front-end assembly and fiber-feed system as well as other interface challenges presented by the telescope, enclosure and neighboring instrumentation.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) will be a cross-dispersed, optical band echelle spectrograph to be delivered as the first light scientific instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) in 2022. G-CLEF is vacuum enclosed and fiber-fed to enable precision radial velocity (PRV) measurements, especially for the detection and characterization of low-mass exoplanets orbiting solar-type stars. The passband of G-CLEF is broad, extending from 3500Å to 9500Å. This passband provides good sensitivity at blue wavelengths for stellar abundance studies and deep red response for observations of high-redshift phenomena. The design of G-CLEF incorporates several novel technical innovations. We give an overview of the innovative features of the current design. G-CLEF will be the first PRV spectrograph to have a composite optical bench so as to exploit that material’s extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion, high in-plane thermal conductivity and high stiffness-to-mass ratio. The spectrograph camera subsystem is divided into a red and a blue channel, split by a dichroic, so there are two independent refractive spectrograph cameras. The control system software is being developed in model-driven software context that has been adopted globally by the GMT. G-CLEF has been conceived and designed within a strict systems engineering framework. As a part of this process, we have developed a analytical toolset to assess the predicted performance of G-CLEF as it has evolved through design phases.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) is the very first light instrument of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). The G-CLEF is a fiber feed, optical band echelle spectrograph that is capable of extremely precise radial velocity measurement. KASI (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute) is responsible for Flexure Control Camera (FCC) included in the G-CLEF Front End Assembly (GCFEA). The FCC is a kind of guide camera, which monitors the field images focused on a fiber mirror to control the flexure and the focus errors within the GCFEA. The FCC consists of five optical components: a collimator including triple lenses for producing a pupil, neutral density filters allowing us to use much brighter star as a target or a guide, a tent prism as a focus analyzer for measuring the focus offset at the fiber mirror, a reimaging camera with three pair of lenses for focusing the beam on a CCD focal plane, and a CCD detector for capturing the image on the fiber mirror. In this article, we present the optical and mechanical FCC designs which have been modified after the PDR in April 2015.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) is an echelle spectrograph with precision radial velocity (PRV) capability that will be a first light instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). G-CLEF has a PRV precision goal of 40 cm/sec (10 cm/s for multiple measurements) to enable detection of Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zones of sun-like stars1. This precision is a primary driver of G-CLEF’s structural design. Extreme stability is necessary to minimize image motions at the CCD detectors. Minute changes in temperature, pressure, and acceleration environments cause structural deformations, inducing image motions which degrade PRV precision. The instrument’s structural design will ensure that the PRV goal is achieved under the environments G-CLEF will be subjected to as installed on the GMT azimuth platform, including:
Millikelvin (0.001 °K) thermal soaks and gradients
10 millibar changes in ambient pressure
Changes in acceleration due to instrument tip/tilt and telescope slewing
Carbon fiber/cyanate composite was selected for the optical bench structure in order to meet performance goals. Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and high stiffness-to-weight are key features of the composite optical bench design. Manufacturability and serviceability of the instrument are also drivers of the design.
In this paper, we discuss analyses leading to technical choices made to minimize G-CLEF’s sensitivity to changing environments. Finite element analysis (FEA) and image motion sensitivity studies were conducted to determine PRV performance under operational environments. We discuss the design of the optical bench structure to optimize stiffness-to-weight and minimize deformations due to inertial and pressure effects. We also discuss quasi-kinematic mounting of optical elements and assemblies, and optimization of these to ensure minimal image motion under thermal, pressure, and inertial loads expected during PRV observations.
A Prototype of Fast-steering Secondary Mirror (FSMP) for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) has been developed by the consortium consisting of institutes in Korea and the US. In 2014 the FSMP development was finalized by combining the two major sub-systems, the mirror fabricated and the mirror cell with the tip-tilt control parts. We have developed an assembly procedure in which potential difficulties, such as handling without contacting mirror surface, and optimizing bonding process, have been resolved. Supporting jigs were produced, and optimized bonding techniques have been developed. The assembled FSMP system was installed in a test tower, and stability of the system were checked. Performance of the FSMP system will be evaluated in static and dynamic environments for the validation of the FSMP system operation as the future works.
The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) is an optical-band echelle spectrograph that has been selected as
the first light instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). G-CLEF is a general-purpose, high dispersion
spectrograph that is fiber fed and capable of extremely precise radial velocity measurements. The G-CLEF Concept
Design (CoD) was selected in Spring 2013. Since then, G-CLEF has undergone science requirements and instrument
requirements reviews and will be the subject of a preliminary design review (PDR) in March 2015. Since CoD review
(CoDR), the overall G-CLEF design has evolved significantly as we have optimized the constituent designs of the major
subsystems, i.e. the fiber system, the telescope interface, the calibration system and the spectrograph itself. These
modifications have been made to enhance G-CLEF’s capability to address frontier science problems, as well as to
respond to the evolution of the GMT itself and developments in the technical landscape. G-CLEF has been designed by
applying rigorous systems engineering methodology to flow Level 1 Scientific Objectives to Level 2 Observational
Requirements and thence to Level 3 and Level 4. The rigorous systems approach applied to G-CLEF establishes a well
defined science requirements framework for the engineering design. By adopting this formalism, we may flexibly update
and analyze the capability of G-CLEF to respond to new scientific discoveries as we move toward first light. G-CLEF
will exploit numerous technological advances and features of the GMT itself to deliver an efficient, high performance instrument, e.g. exploiting the adaptive optics secondary system to increase both throughput and radial velocity
measurement precision.
The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) has been developed and tested and is almost ready to be installed
to LBT mount. In preparation for installation, testing of the beam combination and phasing of the system have been
developed. The testing is currently in progress.
The development of a telescope simulator for LBTI has allowed verification of phasing and alignment with a broad band
source at 10 microns2. Vibration tests with the LBTI mounted to the LBT were carried out in July 2008, with both
seismic accelerometers and an internal optical interferometric measurement. The results have allowed identification of
potential vibration sources on the telescope. Plans for a Star Simulator that illuminates each LBT aperture at the prime
focus with two artificial point sources derived from a single point source via fiber optics are presented. The Star
Simulator will allow testing of LBTI with the telescope and the adaptive secondaries in particular. Testing with the Star
Simulator will allow system level testing of LBTI on the telescope, without need to use on-sky time. Testing of the Star
Simulator components are presented to verify readiness for use with the LBTI.
The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer, a thermal infrared imager and nulling interferometer for the LBT, is
currently being integrated and tested at Steward Observatory. The system consists of a general purpose or universal
beamcombiner (UBC) and three camera ports, one of which is populated currently by the Nulling and Imaging Camera
(NIC). Wavefront sensing is carried out using pyramid-based "W" units developed at Arcetri Observatory. The system
is designed for high spatial resolution, high dynamic range imaging in the thermal infrared. A key project for the
program is to survey nearby stars for debris disks down to levels which may obscure detection of Earth-like planets.
During 2007-2008 the UBC portion of the LBTI was assembled and tested at Steward Observatory. Initial integration of
the system with the LBT is currently in progress as the W units and NIC are being completed in parallel.
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