PhoSim-NIRCam: Photon-by-photon image simulations of the James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera

Colin J. Burke; John R. Peterson; Eiichi Egami; Jarron M. Leisenring; Glenn H. Sembroski; Marcia J. Rieke

doi:10.1117/1.JATIS.5.3.038002

PhoSim-NIRCam: Photon-by-photon image simulations of the James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera

Colin J. Burke, John R. Peterson, Eiichi Egami, Jarron M. Leisenring, Glenn H. Sembroski, Marcia J. Rieke

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent instrumentation projects have allocated resources to develop codes for simulating astronomical images. Physics-based models are essential for understanding telescope, instrument, and environmental systematics in observations. A deep understanding of these systematics is especially important in the context of weak gravitational lensing, galaxy morphology, and other sensitive measurements. We present an adaptation of a physics-based ab initio image simulator: the photon simulator (PhoSim). We modify PhoSim for use with the near-infrared camera (NIRCam)-the primary imaging instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. This photon Monte Carlo code replicates the observational catalog, telescope and camera optics, detector physics, and readout modes/electronics. Importantly, PhoSim-NIRCam simulates both geometric aberration and diffraction across the field of view. Full field- and wavelength-dependent point spread functions are presented. Simulated images of an extragalactic field are presented. Extensive validation is planned during in-orbit commissioning.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	038002
Journal	Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems
Volume	5
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.5.3.038002
State	Published - Jul 1 2019

Keywords

Image simulation
Instrumentation
James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera
Photon simulator
Systematic
Weak lensing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Control and Systems Engineering
Instrumentation
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Mechanical Engineering
Space and Planetary Science

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title = "PhoSim-NIRCam: Photon-by-photon image simulations of the James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera",

abstract = "Recent instrumentation projects have allocated resources to develop codes for simulating astronomical images. Physics-based models are essential for understanding telescope, instrument, and environmental systematics in observations. A deep understanding of these systematics is especially important in the context of weak gravitational lensing, galaxy morphology, and other sensitive measurements. We present an adaptation of a physics-based ab initio image simulator: the photon simulator (PhoSim). We modify PhoSim for use with the near-infrared camera (NIRCam)-the primary imaging instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. This photon Monte Carlo code replicates the observational catalog, telescope and camera optics, detector physics, and readout modes/electronics. Importantly, PhoSim-NIRCam simulates both geometric aberration and diffraction across the field of view. Full field- and wavelength-dependent point spread functions are presented. Simulated images of an extragalactic field are presented. Extensive validation is planned during in-orbit commissioning.",

keywords = "Image simulation, Instrumentation, James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera, Photon simulator, Systematic, Weak lensing",

author = "Burke, {Colin J.} and Peterson, {John R.} and Eiichi Egami and Leisenring, {Jarron M.} and Sembroski, {Glenn H.} and Rieke, {Marcia J.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).",

year = "2019",

month = jul,

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doi = "10.1117/1.JATIS.5.3.038002",

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T2 - Photon-by-photon image simulations of the James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera

AU - Burke, Colin J.

AU - Peterson, John R.

AU - Egami, Eiichi

AU - Leisenring, Jarron M.

AU - Sembroski, Glenn H.

AU - Rieke, Marcia J.

PY - 2019/7/1

Y1 - 2019/7/1

N2 - Recent instrumentation projects have allocated resources to develop codes for simulating astronomical images. Physics-based models are essential for understanding telescope, instrument, and environmental systematics in observations. A deep understanding of these systematics is especially important in the context of weak gravitational lensing, galaxy morphology, and other sensitive measurements. We present an adaptation of a physics-based ab initio image simulator: the photon simulator (PhoSim). We modify PhoSim for use with the near-infrared camera (NIRCam)-the primary imaging instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. This photon Monte Carlo code replicates the observational catalog, telescope and camera optics, detector physics, and readout modes/electronics. Importantly, PhoSim-NIRCam simulates both geometric aberration and diffraction across the field of view. Full field- and wavelength-dependent point spread functions are presented. Simulated images of an extragalactic field are presented. Extensive validation is planned during in-orbit commissioning.

AB - Recent instrumentation projects have allocated resources to develop codes for simulating astronomical images. Physics-based models are essential for understanding telescope, instrument, and environmental systematics in observations. A deep understanding of these systematics is especially important in the context of weak gravitational lensing, galaxy morphology, and other sensitive measurements. We present an adaptation of a physics-based ab initio image simulator: the photon simulator (PhoSim). We modify PhoSim for use with the near-infrared camera (NIRCam)-the primary imaging instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. This photon Monte Carlo code replicates the observational catalog, telescope and camera optics, detector physics, and readout modes/electronics. Importantly, PhoSim-NIRCam simulates both geometric aberration and diffraction across the field of view. Full field- and wavelength-dependent point spread functions are presented. Simulated images of an extragalactic field are presented. Extensive validation is planned during in-orbit commissioning.

KW - Image simulation

KW - Instrumentation

KW - James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera

KW - Photon simulator

KW - Systematic

KW - Weak lensing

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PhoSim-NIRCam: Photon-by-photon image simulations of the James Webb Space Telescope's near-infrared camera

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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