FORCAST: A Mid-Infrared Camera for SOFIA

Abstract

We describe the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) which is presently operating as a facility instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). FORCAST provides imaging and moderate resolution spectroscopy capability over the 5-40μm wavelength range. In imaging mode, FORCAST has a 3.4′×3.2′ field-of-view with 0.768′′ pixels. Using grisms, FORCAST provides long-slit low-resolution (R=100-300) and short-slit, cross-dispersed medium-resolution spectroscopic modes (R=800-1200) over select wavelengths. Preceded by both Spitzer and Herschel, the discovery phase space for FORCAST lies in providing unique photometric bands and/or spectroscopic coverage, higher spatial resolution and exploration of the brightest sources which typically saturate space observatories.