The Mid-infrared Instrument for JWST and Its In-flight Performance

Abstract The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) extends the reach of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to 28.5 μ m. It provides subarcsecond-resolution imaging, high sensitivity coronagraphy, and spectroscopy at resolutions λ /Δ ∼ 100–3500, with high-resolution mode employing an integral field unit provide spatial data cubes. resulting broad suite capabilities will enable huge advances in studies over this wavelength range. This overview describes history acquiring capability for JWST. discusses basic attributes instrument optics, detector arrays, cryocooler that keeps everything approximately 7 K. gives a short description pipeline performance demonstrated during JWST commissioning. bottom line is telescope MIRI are both operating standards set by pre-launch predictions, all at, or even bit better than, level had been expected. paper also designed act as roadmap more detailed papers on different aspects MIRI.