High-precision ground-based astronomical imaging in the near-infrared spectrum
By Alan
In this project, we aim to characterize the performance and capabilities of a ground-based near-infrared (NIR) camera for use in high-precision astronomical photometry. The near-infrared $JHK$ bands are important for many astronomical applications, including to brown dwarf and exoplanet research. However, currently, most high-precision NIR observations are conducted from space observatories. Ground-based observations in the NIR have proven to be challenging due to NIR detector instabilities and strong telluric contamination (including atmospheric absorption in the NIR). This project aims to enable high-precision photometry from the ground using a First Light Imaging C-RED2 camera operating in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) (0.9 - 1.7µm wavelength). We aim to leverage the high-speed, low-noise capabilities of this camera to mitigate previous NIR detector shortcomings to achieve 0.1% relative photometric precision.