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||| Resolution and Field-of-View ||| |
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Because of advances in detector technology, WFC3's imaging
capability will be the best yet. One of the most important
specifications for Hubble's instruments is resolution.
The better the resolution (smaller value), the more
detail can be achieved when imaging stellar objects.
It is measured in angle-size per pixel. Below is an
example of a pixel with a 0.13 arcsec resolution. |
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1) UVis Channel --- Resolution =
.04 arcsec/pixel
The UVis channel
will produce images that are 4096x4096 pixels.
Each pixel
receives light from a 0.04x0.04 arcsec patch
of sky.
With all the
pixels, that makes a 160x160 arcsec field
of view.
2) IR Channel --- Resolution = .13
arcsec/pixel
The IR channel
will produce images that are 1024x1024 pixels.
Each pixel
receives light from a 0.12x0.14 arcsec patch
of sky.
With all the
pixels, that makes a 123x139 arcsec field
of view.
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WFC3 is superior to WFPC2 in resolution and field-of-view.
It will be comparable to ACS (the most advanced instrument
currently aboard Hubble) and excel in some areas. Plus,
its IR-channel will be a great enhancement to Hubble's
infrared capabilities. CLICK
HERE for more details about WFC3's detector capabilities.
Side Note: The specification
often given with digital cameras is its megapixel Resolution.
A 4.0 megapixel camera is common in the marketplace
today. WFC3 UVis channel consists of a square array
of 4096x4096 pixels yielding 16.8 million pixels or
a "16.8 megapixel camera". The IR channel
would be a "10.5 megapixel camera". |
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