GREAT: First Installation on SOFIA
Photo Release
On January 21/22, 2011, GREAT, the "German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies", was mounted on the airborne observatory SOFIA for the first time. Installation and first tests were very successful. A number of further tests will follow before the first scientific flights of SOFIA with GREAT will take place in April 2011. "Thanks to all who participated in the project over the years and contributed to the completion of the instrument", says Rolf Güsten from Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, project manager for GREAT.
GREAT, the "German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies", is a receiver for spectroscopic observations at far-infrared frequencies between 1.2 and 5 Terahertz (60-220 µm wavelength), not accessible from ground because of water vapour absorption. The receiver will be used at the airborne observatory SOFIA. GREAT has been built as one of two German SOFIA instruments of the first generation by a consortium of German research institutes (MPIfR Bonn, Universität zu Köln, MPS Katlenburg-Lindau, DLR-PF Berlin). Project manager for GREAT is Dr. Rolf Güsten (MPIfR). The development of the instrument was financed by means of the participating institutes, Max Planck Society and German Research Society within the framework of SFB 494.
The GREAT receiver prior to boarding the aircraft, at DAOF (Dryden Aircraft Operation Facility), in front of SOFIA. People (from left): Helmut Wiesemeyer, Rolf Güsten (PI), Jürgen Stutzki (Co-PI), Stefan Heyminck, Karl Jacobs, Urs Graf, Oliver Ricken).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida
The GREAT receiver prior to boarding the aircraft, at DAOF (Dryden Aircraft Operation Facility), in front of SOFIA. People (from left): Helmut Wiesemeyer, Rolf Güsten (PI), Jürgen Stutzki (Co-PI), Stefan Heyminck, Karl Jacobs, Urs Graf, Oliver Ricken).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida
The GREAT instrument on its transport cart. Front view. The two cryostats host sensitive HEB detectors for THz radiation. The detectors require an operation temperature of 4 K. The front-side plate will mount to the telescope flange later (color image).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida
The GREAT instrument on its transport cart. Front view. The two cryostats host sensitive HEB detectors for THz radiation. The detectors require an operation temperature of 4 K. The front-side plate will mount to the telescope flange later (color image).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida
The GREAT instrument on its transport cart. Front view. The two cryostats host sensitive HEB detectors for THz radiation. The detectors require an operation temperature of 4 K. The front-side plate will mount to the telescope flange later (B/W image).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
The GREAT instrument on its transport cart. Front view. The two cryostats host sensitive HEB detectors for THz radiation. The detectors require an operation temperature of 4 K. The front-side plate will mount to the telescope flange later (B/W image).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT on the forklift. Including the cart, almost 700 kg of delicate electronics has to be loaded with utmost care.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT on the forklift. Including the cart, almost 700 kg of delicate electronics has to be loaded with utmost care.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT is lifted by scissor-lift truck into SOFIA.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT is lifted by scissor-lift truck into SOFIA.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT inside the aircraft, on its way into the rear section of the aircraft. People: Urs Graf, Stefan Heyminck (left side), Sal Ramirez, Steve Robinson (right side).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT inside the aircraft, on its way into the rear section of the aircraft. People: Urs Graf, Stefan Heyminck (left side), Sal Ramirez, Steve Robinson (right side).
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT approaching the telescope. In the foreground: Steve Robinson, SOFIA crew chief.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT approaching the telescope. In the foreground: Steve Robinson, SOFIA crew chief.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT in front of the telescope flange, waiting for final inspection and clearance. The pressure coupler inside the telescope tube is visible.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT in front of the telescope flange, waiting for final inspection and clearance. The pressure coupler inside the telescope tube is visible.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
Final inspection and cleaning of the mounting plate, before mating with the telescope. At work: Rainer Strecker (DSI quality Management), watching: Alvin Mitchell, Rolf Güsten.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
Final inspection and cleaning of the mounting plate, before mating with the telescope. At work: Rainer Strecker (DSI quality Management), watching: Alvin Mitchell, Rolf Güsten.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT mounted to the telescope flange, in nominal position (telescope at 40 deg). While observing the instrument will move with the telescope +/- 20 degrees.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
GREAT mounted to the telescope flange, in nominal position (telescope at 40 deg). While observing the instrument will move with the telescope +/- 20 degrees.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
Happy faces after a long work day – the GREAT team and the DAOF support teams worked closely together. Mission accomplished. Kneeling in front row, left to right: Zaheer Ali, Sal Ramirez,Conrad Castrellon, Chris Korber, Tim Krall, Gus Carreno. Standing in back row, left to right: Kevin Reilly, Steve Robinson, Oliver Ricken, Charlie Kaminski, Urs Graf, Jürgen Stutzki, Rolf Güsten, Karl Jacobs, Stefan Heyminck, Mike Moore, Marco Lentini, Alvin Mitchell, Rainer Strecker.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
Happy faces after a long work day – the GREAT team and the DAOF support teams worked closely together. Mission accomplished. Kneeling in front row, left to right: Zaheer Ali, Sal Ramirez,Conrad Castrellon, Chris Korber, Tim Krall, Gus Carreno. Standing in back row, left to right: Kevin Reilly, Steve Robinson, Oliver Ricken, Charlie Kaminski, Urs Graf, Jürgen Stutzki, Rolf Güsten, Karl Jacobs, Stefan Heyminck, Mike Moore, Marco Lentini, Alvin Mitchell, Rainer Strecker.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
Happy faces. GREAT successfully installed at the telescope flange. People: Helmut Wiesemeyer, Oliver Ricken, Christian Leinz, Urs Graf, Rolf Güsten (left side), Stefan Heyminck, Jürgen Stutzki, Karl Jacobs.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.
Happy faces. GREAT successfully installed at the telescope flange. People: Helmut Wiesemeyer, Oliver Ricken, Christian Leinz, Urs Graf, Rolf Güsten (left side), Stefan Heyminck, Jürgen Stutzki, Karl Jacobs.
© NASA Photo / Tom Tschida.