The Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) is an instrument providing the capability for infrared imaging and spectroscopic observations of astronomical targets. NICMOS detects light with wavelengths between 8000 to 25000 Ångstroms. These wavelengths are infrared and thus invisible to our human eyes.
NICMOS was revived by an electrical cooler installed during Servicing Mission 3B and is now again producing world class science results.
NICMOS' infrared capabilities will largely be superseded by the WFC3.
NICMOS Facts
|
| Instrument type |
Camera and Spectrograph |
Weight |
370 kg |
| Dimension |
2.2 m x 0.89 m x 0.89 m |
| Field of view |
Low resolution 51.5 x 51.5 arcseconds
Medium resolution 17.5 x 17.5 arcsec
High resolution 11.0 x 11.0 arcsec |
| Wavelength range |
800 to 2500 nm |
|
The NICMOS instrument onboard Hubble.
Typical image taken with NICMOS. It shows a gigantic star cluster in the center of our milky way. NICMOS is the only Hubble instrument which - due to its infrared capabilities - is able to look through the heavy clouds of dust and gas in these central regions. |
