Wavelength Calibration of Balloon-Borne Ultraviolet Stellar Spectrograph

Results of Ray-Tracing the Wavelength Calibration of the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph

We describe the results of Code-V ray-tracing of the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) to improve the wavelength calibration. For the IRS Short-hi and Long-hi modules, the RMS in Δλ (observed calculated) for measured lines has been significantly improved from the purely empirical solution, to 0.125 pixels and 0.091 pixels, respectively. For the Short-lo and Long-lo modules, the RMS is reduced...

LOTUS: a low-cost, ultraviolet spectrograph

We describe the design, construction and commissioning of a simple, low-cost long-slit spectrograph for the Liverpool Telescope. The design is optimized for near-UV and visible wavelengths and uses all transmitting optics. It exploits the instrument focal plane field curvature to partially correct axial chromatic aberration. A stepped slit provides narrow (2.5 × 95 arcsec) and wide (5× 25 arcse...

Balloon - Borne Radio Altimeter

This work describes an accurate pulse radar altimeter which is simple and light enough to be carried aloft by a regular sounding balloon. The altimeter uses a single superregenerative stage serving as both the receiver and the transmitter. This stage is used in a feedback system in such a way that the period between transmitted pulses is a measure of altitude. The relatively slow rate of change...

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Future of Ultraviolet Astronomy

I describe the capabilities of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, scheduled for May 2009 installation on the Hubble Space Telescope. With a factor-of-ten increase in far-UV throughput for moderate-resolution spectroscopy, COS will enable a range of scientific programs that study hot stars, AGN, and gas in the interstellar medium, intergalactic medium, and galactic halos. We also plan a large-scal...

Balloon borne 19 GHz radiometer