Many infrared sources are dusty; embedded stars are obscured, often completely, and their light is absorbed. The starlight heats the dust, typically to temperatures of tens or hundreds of degrees Kelvin, and the heated dust radiates in the far-infrared, at wavelengths for which the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy ( SOFIA ) is optimized. These dusty targets radiate most or all of the far-infrared: broadband imaging with the highest possible spatial resolution is the natural starting point from which to develop an understanding of their morphology and energetics. Because SOFIA is the largest far-infrared telescope, it delivers the best spatial resolution. The wealth of detail revealed when resolution improves often results in startling insights, as new pictures of old favorites from the Hubble Space Telescope so regularly remind us. We therefore believe that most SOFIA studies will begin with high spatial resolution broadband imaging, and that a Facility Science Instrument (Facility Science Instrument) is required to serve this heavy and continuing workload. Accordingly, we have assembled a team with the experience, expertise, depth, and enthusiasm to build and optimize such an FSI camera, which we call the High-resolution Airborne Wide-bandwidth Camera (HAWC).
As a facility instrument, HAWC will be employed for a wide variety of observations. Some of the scientific questions it is expected to address include:
Last modified September 2001