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July 25, 2024 article Open access Aachen paper

Euclid

Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 697, pp. A4

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202450345 Full text (OA) OpenAlex

Abstract

The near-infrared calibration unit (NI-CU) on board Euclid’s Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) is the first astronomical calibration lamp based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to be operated in space. Euclid is a mission in ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015–2025 framework to explore the dark universe and provide a next-level characterisation of the nature of gravitation, dark matter, and dark energy. Calibrating photometric and spectrometric measurements of galaxies to better than 1.5% accuracy in a survey homogeneously mapping ~14 000 deg2 of extragalactic sky requires a very detailed characterisation of near-infrared (NIR) detector properties as well as constant monitoring of them in flight. To cover two of the main contributions – relative pixel-to-pixel sensitivity and non-linearity characteristics – and to support other calibration activities, NI-CU was designed to provide spatially approximately homogeneous (<12% variations) and temporally stable illumination (0.1–0.2% over 1200 s) over the NISP detector plane with minimal power consumption and energy dissipation. NI-CU covers the spectral range ~[900,I900] nm – at cryo-operating temperature – at five fixed independent wavelengths to capture wavelength-dependent behaviour of the detectors, with fluence over a dynamic range of ≳100 from ~15 ph s−1 pixel−1 to >1500 ph s−1 pixel−1. For this functionality, NI-CU is based on LEDs. We describe the rationale behind the decision and design process, the challenges in sourcing the right LEDs, and the qualification process and lessons learned. We also provide a description of the completed NI-CU, its capabilities, and performance as well as its limits. NI-CU has been integrated into NISP and the Euclid satellite, and since Euclid’s launch in July 2023, it has started supporting survey operations.

Authors 97

  1. F. Hormuth
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  2. K. Jahnkę
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  3. M. Schirmer
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  4. R. Barbier
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  5. S. Ferriol
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  6. William Gillard
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  7. Frank U. Grupp
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  8. W. A. Holmes
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  9. Bogna Kubik
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  10. Juan Francisco Macias-Perez
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  11. M. Laurent
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  12. J. Marpaud
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  13. M. Marton
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  14. Eduardo Medinaceli
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  15. Gianluca Morgante
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  16. R. Toledo-Moreo
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  17. Massimo Trifoglio
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  18. Hans‐Walter Rix
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  19. Aurelia Secroun
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  20. M. Seiffert
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  21. Patrick Stassi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  22. Stefanie Wachter
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  23. C. M. Gutiérrez
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  24. C. Vescovi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  25. Adam Amara
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  26. Stefano Andreon
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  27. N. Auricchio
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  28. C. Baccigalupi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  29. Marco Baldi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  30. A. Balestra
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  31. S. Bardelli
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  32. Paola Maria Battaglia
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  33. Ralf Bender
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  34. Christof T. Bodendorf
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  35. D. Bonino
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  36. E. Branchini
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  37. M. Brescia
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  38. J. Brinchmann
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  39. S. Camera
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  40. V. Capobianco
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  41. C. Carbone
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  42. V. F. Cardone
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  43. J. Carretero
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  44. R. Casas
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  45. Santiago Casas
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  46. M. Castellano
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  47. G. Castignani
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  48. S. Cavuoti
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  49. A. Cimatti
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  50. C Colodro-Conde
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  51. G. Congedo
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  52. Christopher J. Conselice
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  53. L. Conversi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  54. Y. Copin
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  55. L. Corcione
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  56. F. Courbin
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  57. Hélène M. Courtois
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  58. A. Da Silva
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  59. Hubert Degaudenzi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  60. G. De Lucia
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  61. J. Dinis
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  62. Marian Douspis
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  63. F. Dubath
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  64. Franck Ducret
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  65. X. Dupac
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  66. S. Dusini
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  67. Maximilian Fabricius
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  68. Maria Farina
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  69. S. Farrens
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  70. F Faustini
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  71. S. Fotopoulou
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  72. N. Fourmanoit
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  73. M. Frailis
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  74. Enrico Franceschi
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  75. P. Franzetti
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  76. M. Fumana
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  77. Samuele Galeotta
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  78. B. Garilli
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  79. Koshy George
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  80. Bryan R. Gillis
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  81. C. Giocoli

    Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bologna

    Affiliation as printed

    Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bologna, Via Irne-rio 46, 40126 Bologna, Italy

  82. A. Grazian
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  83. L. Guzzo

    University of Milan

    Affiliation as printed

    Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy

  84. S. V. H. Haugan

    University of Oslo

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway

  85. Henk Hoekstra Aachen Leiden Observatory

    Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands

  86. I. Hook

    Lancaster University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK

  87. Allan Hornstrup

    Technical University of Denmark

    Affiliation as printed

    Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN), Denmark

    Technical University of Denmark, Elektrovej 327, 2800 Kgs. Lyn-gby, Denmark

  88. Patrick Hudelot

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris · Sorbonne Université

    Affiliation as printed

    Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, UMR 7095, CNRS, and Sor-bonne Université, 98 bis boulevard Arago, 75014 Paris, France

  89. Murzban D. Jhabvala

    Goddard Space Flight Center

    Affiliation as printed

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA

  90. Elina Keihänen

    University of Helsinki · Helsinki Institute of Physics

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Helsinki Institute of Physics, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland

  91. Smaïn Kermiche
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  92. A. Kiessling
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  93. M. Kilbinger
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  94. T. Kitching

    University College London

    Affiliation as printed

    Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK

  95. R. Kohley
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  96. M Kümmel
    Affiliation as printed

    F. Hormuth et al.: Euclid. IV. The NISP Calibration Unit Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

  97. Martin Kunz

    University of Geneva

    Affiliation as printed

    Université de Genève, Département de Physique Théorique and Centre for Astroparticle Physics, 24 quai Ernest-Ansermet, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland

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