Ultraviolet and visible imaging and spectrographic imaging instrument

The Ultraviolet and Visible Imaging and Spectrographic Imaging experiment consists of five spectrographic imagers and four imagers. These nine sensors provide spectrographic and imaging capabilities from 110 to 900 nm. The spectrographic imagers share an off-axis design in which selectable slits alternate fields of view (1.00° × 0.10° or 1.00° × 0.05°) and spectral resolutions between 0.5 and 4 nm. Image planes of the spectrographic imager have a programmable spectral dimension with 68, 136, or 272 pixels across each individual spectral band, and a programmable spatial dimension with 5, 10, 20, or 40 pixels across the 1° slit length. A scan mirror sweeps the slit through a second spatial dimension to generate a 1° × 1° spectrographic image once every 5, 10, or 20 s, depending on the scan rate. The four imagers provide narrow-field (1.28° × 1.59°) and wide-field (10.5° × 13.1°) viewing. Each imager has a six-position filter wheel that selects various spectral regimes and neutral densities. The nine sensors ut lize intensified CCD detectors that have an intrascene dynamic range of ~ 10(3) and an interscene dynamic range of ~ 10(5); neutral-density filters provide an additional dynamic range of ~ 10(2-3). The detector uses an automatic gain control that permits the sensors to adjust to scenes of varying intensity. The sensors have common boresights and can operate separately, simultaneously, or synchronously. To be launched aboard the Midcourse Space Experiment spacecraft in the mid-1990's, the ultraviolet and visible imaging and spectrographic imaging instrument will investigate a multitude of celestial, atmospheric, and point sources during its planned 4-yr life.