First light images from QUick Infrared Survey Telescope (QUIST)

First light images from the new QUick Infrared Survey Telescope (QUIST) may be viewed here. QUIST is a 25-cm f/10 infrared optimized telescope which mounts on top of QUIRC (QUick InfraRed Camera). QUIRC has a 1024x1024 HgCdTe infrared array sensitive from 0.7 to 2.5 microns. QUIST with QUIRC are mounted in binocular fashion with the University of Hawaii's 61-cm telescope located on Mauna Kea. QUIST has a field of view of 0.43x0.43 degrees and pixels are 1.5 arcseconds across.

Compact versions of some of the larger images have been constructed for viewing by persons with low-bandwidth connections.

All images were obtained on December 10, 1995 by Mark Metzger and Doug Clowe.

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Narrow band (2.12 micron) very short exposure showing the moon - total exposure time was 0.25 seconds. This image shows the large field-of-view of QUIST. North is at the left and east is at the bottom.
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The Orion Nebula taken through a K' filter (wavelength 2.15 microns); exposure time was 240 seconds. At this wavelength, the Trapezium open cluster is clearly seen; at optical wavelengths it is heavily obscured by dust within the nebula. This image is a 0.33 degree subarray of the full field, with false color to enhance the contrast. Black, purple, and blue are low levels; orange, red, and white are high. North is at the top and east is at the left.
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A pseudo-color image of the Orion nebula's central region, with blue representing the 2 micron continuum and red representing emission at 2.12 microns by molecular hydrogen.

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Last updated January 5, 1996

Richard J. Wainscoat
rjw@ifa.hawaii.edu