Washington: The first few images taken by a
new near-infrared camera -- LUCIFER 1 -- is helping
astronomers observe the faintest and most distant objects in
the universe that are usually opaque to visible light.
The new instrument, built by a consortium of German
institutes, provides the scientists with a powerful tool to
gain spectacular insights into the universe - from the Milky
Way to extremely distant galaxies.
The innovative design of LUCIFER 1, that has been mounted
on the world's largest optical telescope the Large Binocular
Telescope (LBT) at its focus points, allows astronomers to
look into the unprecedented details like the star forming
regions that are commonly hidden by dust clouds.
The first image by the instrument shows a stellar nursery
in the Milky Way about 8,000 light years from Earth. It
depicts the region where stars are born.
Usually such clouds are opaque to visible light. But the
infrared light detected by LUCIFER could penetrate these dust
clouds.
Other images taken by the instrument show the starburst
galaxy NGC 1569, which is forming stars at a rate that is 100
times faster than what is typically observed in the Milky Way.
The glowing red clouds of dust enshrouding newly formed
stars are made visible due to the LUCIFER's sensitive infrared
vision.
These images give the scientists an idea of the
instrument's enormous potential, the University of Arizona
said in a release.
"With the large light-gathering power of the LBT,
astronomers are now able to collect the spectral fingerprints
of the faintest and most distant objects in the universe,"
said LBT Director Richard Green, a professor of astronomy at
the University's Steward Observatory.
The instrument is remarkably flexible and combines a
large field of view with high resolution. It provides three
exchangeable cameras for imaging and spectroscopy in different
resolutions according to observational requirements.
LUCIFER is an acronym for 'Large Binocular Telescope
Near-infrared Utility with Camera and Integral Field Unit for
Extragalactic Research'.
PTI
First Published: Friday, April 23, 2010, 17:47