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

• Published in: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Vol. 128; no. 961; pp. 1 - 22
• Main Authors: Mendikoa, Iñigo, Sánchez-Lavega, Agustín, Pérez-Hoyos, Santiago, Hueso, Ricardo, Rojas, José Félix, Aceituno, Jesús, Aceituno, Francisco, Murga, Gaizka, De Bilbao, Lander, García-Melendo, Enrique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing Limited 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Astronomical Instrumentation, Telescopes, Observatories, and Site Characterization
• ISSN: 0004-6280; 1538-3873

We present PlanetCam UPV/EHU, an astronomical camera designed fundamentally for high-resolution imaging of Solar System planets using the “lucky imaging” technique. The camera observes in a wavelength range from 380 nm to 1.7 μm 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) or two combined channels (visible and short wave infrared) working simultaneously at selected wavelengths by means of a dichroic beam splitter. 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.