PlanetCam UPV/EHU: a simultaneous visible and near infrared lucky-imaging camera to study solar system objects

Geophysical Research Letters

Río‐Gaztelurrutia

Hueso

et al. 2014

Self Cite

We investigate the long-term motion of Saturn's north pole hexagon and the structure of its associated eastward jet, using Cassini imaging science system and ground-based images from 2008 to 2014. We show that both are persistent features that have survived the long polar night, the jet profile remaining essentially unchanged. During those years, the hexagon vertices showed a steady rotation period of 10 h 39 min 23.01 ± 0.01 s. The analysis of Voyager 1 and 2 (1980)(1981) and Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based (1990-1991) images shows a period shorter by 3.5 s due to the presence at the time of a large anticyclone. We interpret the hexagon as a manifestation of a vertically trapped Rossby wave on the polar jet and, because of their survival and unchanged properties under the strong seasonal variations in insolation, we propose that both hexagon and jet are deep-rooted atmospheric features that could reveal the true rotation of the planet Saturn.

Section: Image Selection and Measurement Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The long‐term steady motion of Saturn's hexagon and the stability of its enclosed jet stream under seasonal changes

Geophysical Research Letters

Río‐Gaztelurrutia

Hueso

et al. 2014

Self Cite

“…PlanetCam UPV/EHU [ Sánchez‐Lavega et al , ] is a dual camera that uses the lucky imaging technique [ Law et al , ] at the 2.2 m telescope in Calar Alto Observatory in Southern Spain. The light from the telescope is separated by a dichroic mirror and sent into two detectors in the wavelength ranges 0.4–1.0 μm (visible) and 1.0–1.7 μm (short wave infrared, SWIR).…”

Section: Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jupiter cloud morphology and zonal winds from ground‐based observations before and during Juno's first perijove

Hueso

Geophysical Research Letters

Iñurrigarro

et al. 2017

Self Cite

We analyze Jupiter observations between December 2015 and August 2016 in the 0.38–1.7 μm wavelength range from the PlanetCam instrument at the 2.2 m telescope at Calar Alto Observatory and in the optical range by amateur observers contributing to the Planetary Virtual Observatory Laboratory. Over this time Jupiter was in a quiescent state without notable disturbances. Analysis of ground‐based images and Hubble Space Telescope observations in February 2016 allowed the retrieval of mean zonal winds from −74.5° to +73.2°. These winds did not change over 2016 or when compared with winds from previous years with the sole exception of intense zonal winds at the North Temperate Belt. We also present results concerning the major wave systems in the North Equatorial Belt and in the upper polar hazes visible in methane absorption bands, a description of the planet's overall cloud morphology and observations of Jupiter hours before Juno's orbit insertion.

“…Under the first configuration, PlanetCam1 operates only in the visible channel and with a high magnification at the focal plane. The main elements constituting the camera are a sCMOS detector (also employed in PlanetCam2 visible channel), two filter wheels and an interchangeable Barlow lens to provide the required magnification ( Figure 1, Sánchez-Lavega et al, 2012). showing from left to right: 1-sCMOS detector, 2-filter wheels, 3-Barlow lens and 4-telescope adaptor.…”

Section: Configuration Of Planetcam1mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this paper PlanetCam UPV/EHU (hereafter PlanetCam) is described, an astronomical camera designed for the observation of planetary atmospheres at high spatial resolution simultaneously in two channels: visible (0.38 -1 m) and short wave near infrared SWIR (1 -1.7 m) (Sánchez-Lavega et al, 2012). It consists of two arms or channels, each one with its own detector and filters of interest for planetary atmospheres research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PlanetCam has been designed for two possible operational independent configurations: PlanetCam1 is aimed to perform observations only in the visible channel (380 nm -1m), and PlanetCam2 provides simultaneous observations in visible (using the same detector as in configuration 1) and the SWIR (1 -1.7 m) (Sánchez-Lavega et al, 2012). PlanetCam1 is easily transportable and has been tested in a variety of telescopes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

PlanetCam UPV/EHU: A Two-channel Lucky Imaging Camera for Solar System Studies in the Spectral Range 0.38–1.7μm

Mendikoa

Pérez‐Hoyos

et al. 2016

PASP

We present PlanetCam UPV/EHU, an astronomical camera designed fundamentally for highresolution imaging of Solar System planets using the "lucky imaging" technique. The camera observes in a wavelength range from 380 nm to 1.7 m and the driving science themes are atmosphere dynamics and vertical cloud structure of Solar System planets. The design comprises two configurations that include one channel (visible wavelengths) for high magnification or two combined channels (visible and short wave infrared) working simultaneously at selected wavelengths by means of a dichroic beam splitter (Sanchez-Lavega et al., 2012). In this paper the camera components for the two configurations are described, as well as camera performance and the different tests done for the precise characterization of its radiometric and astrometric capabilities at high spatial resolution. Finally, some images of solar system objects are presented as well as photometric results and different scientific cases on astronomical targets.