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A Point Spread Function for the EPOXI MissionThe Extrasolar Planet Observation Characterization and the Deep Impact Extended Investigation missions (EPOXI) are currently observing the transits of exoplanets, two comet nuclei at short range, and the Earth and Mars using the High Resolution Instrument (HRI) - a 0.3 m f/35 telescope on the Deep Impact probe. The HRI is in a permanently defocused state with the instrument pOint of focus about 0.6 cm before the focal plane due to the use of a reference flat mirror that took a power during ground thermal-vacuum testing. Consequently, the point spread function (PSF) covers approximately nine pixels FWHM and is characterized by a patch with three-fold symmetry due to the three-point support structures of the primary and secondary mirrors. The PSF is also strongly color dependent varying in shape and size with change in filtration and target color. While defocus is highly desirable for exoplanet transit observations to limit sensitivity to intra-pixel variation, it is suboptimal for observations of spatially resolved targets. Consequently, all images used in our analysis of such objects were deconvolved with an instrument PSF. The instrument PSF is also being used to optimize transit analysis. We discuss development and usage of an instrument PSF for these observations.
Document ID
20100014900
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Barry, Richard K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2010
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: 13253-10-ST Observational Frontiers of Astronomy for the N
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: June 27, 2010
End Date: July 2, 2010
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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