WFC3 Overview

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The Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) project was originally conceived to only replace the capabilities of an aging WFPC2 instrument. During the later phases of study for the instrument however, it became clear with the advancement of technologies and careful planning, WFC3 could substantially enhance Hubble's abilities by adding a second channel (in the near-IR range). Adding a second channel of this type is almost like adding another instrument to Hubble.

Dual-Channels for a Wide Spectral Range

1) The Ultraviolet-Visible (UVis) Channel:
     Covers a wavelength range of 200-1000 nanometers.
     This includes the visible spectrum, part of the
     near-ultraviolet, and a portion of near-infrared.

2) The Infrared (IR) Channel:
     Covers a wavelength range of 800-1700 nanometers.
     It will have the greatest sensitivity in the near-infrared range
     of all Hubble's instruments.

With these two channels, WFC3 will achieve excellent panchromatic (full - spectrum) imaging. Stellar objects are not just in the visible spectrum, but also exist in the blue (near-UV) and red (near-IR) extremes. WFC3 was designed to study light in these regions of the spectrum better than Hubble's current capabilities. Click here for specifications of WFC3's channels.

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