CanariCam is ready for science!

CanariCam, the infrared instrument onboard the world’s biggest optical-infrared telescope is officially ready for scientific research.

The instrument was built in UF by a team of astronomers and engineers led by astronomy professor Charles Telesco. Basically, it's a high-tech, heat-sensitive camera that will allow researchers to look for planets outside our own solar system and better explore hidden black holes at the centers of galaxies, among other tasks.

The Great Telescope CANARIAS, also known as GTC is the biggest optical-infrared telescope in the world, with a primary mirror of 10.4 meters (34.12 feet). The unique specifications of CanariCam, combined with this mighty telescope, form a cutting-edge scientific tool.

University of Florida is a 5% partner in the GTC, in operation since 2009. UF is developing and using instruments such as CanariCam to maximize the telescope’s scientific productivity for all the scientific community. In return, the University of Florida gets observation time for its own projects.

CanariCam capabilities include high-resolution imaging, spectrography, coronography and polarimetry. The latter is an exclusive feature in 8 to 10 meter class telescopes. This is a unique combination in a single instrument, according to professor Telesco.

“With this instrument, the GTC will allow projects impossible to do with other smaller telescopes and will be in the forefront of infrared astronomy for a very long time.” Telesco said.

Some bodies or regions of the universe emit infrared radiation, or heat, which is detected by CanariCam. This capability will spearhead research exploring planets outside our solar system and regions where planets and stars are forming. Also, the fact that infrared radiation can pierce easily cosmic dust clouds means that CanariCam would be able to see objects that are totally obscured at visible wavelengths.