THERMAP: a mid-infrared spectro-imager for space missions to small bodies in the inner solar system

Groussin, O.; Licandro, J.; Helbert, J.; Reynaud, J. L.; Levacher, P.; Reyes García-Talavera, M.; Alí-Lagoa, V.; Blanc, P. E.; Brageot, E.; Davidsson, B.; Delbó, M.; Deleuze, M.; Delsanti, A.; Diaz Garcia, J. J.; Dohlen, K.; Ferrand, D.; Green, S. F.; Jorda, L.; Joven Álvarez, E.; Knollenberg, J.; Kührt, E.; Lamy, P.; Lellouch, E.; Le Merrer, J.; Marty, B.; Mas, G.; Rossin, C.; Rozitis, B.; Sunshine, J.; Vernazza, P. and Vives, S. (2016). THERMAP: a mid-infrared spectro-imager for space missions to small bodies in the inner solar system. Experimental Astronomy, 41 pp. 95–115.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-015-9475-9

Abstract

We present THERMAP, a mid-infrared (8-16 μm) spectro-imager for space missions to small bodies in the inner solar system, developed in the framework of the MarcoPolo-R asteroid sample return mission. THERMAP is very well suited to characterize the surface thermal environment of a NEO and to map its surface composition. The instrument has two channels, one for imaging and one for spectroscopy: it is both a thermal camera with full 2D imaging capabilities and a slit spectrometer. THERMAP takes advantage of the recent technological developments of uncooled microbolometers detectors, sensitive in the mid-infrared spectral range. THERMAP can acquire thermal images (8-18 μm) of the surface and perform absolute temperature measurements with a precision better than 3.5 K above 200 K. THERMAP can acquire mid-infrared spectra (8-16 μm) of the surface with a spectral resolution Δλ of 0.3 μm. For surface temperatures above 350 K, spectra have a signal-to-noise ratio >60 in the spectral range 9-13 μm where most emission features occur.

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