Predicted Michelle Sensitivities (12% Emissivity)

Predicted Michelle Sensitivities (12% Emissivity)

The following tables list optimistic Michelle sensitivities for the five gratings and imaging mode. The values were taken from the  Michelle Observation Planning Applet.

Please note:

  • The following values are 1 sigma 1 minute sensitivities.
  • The sensitivities below assume that the 2-pixel wide slit is used for spectroscopy.
  • The sensitivities are for the 10.5 and 20.5 micron regions of the thermal IR spectrum. Sensitivities will differ depending on the actual wavelength observed.
  • The flux density columns (mJy/arcsec2) refer to extended objects, all others are for point sources.
  • The Michelle Observation Planning Applet  should be used to calculate predicted sensitivites for your planned observations, these tables simply list examples.
  • Please do not use the sensitivities quoted in the  Operational Concepts Definition Document  at the ATC website as these are Gemini specific. However, this document does provide other useful information about Michelle.

Spectroscopy:

LowN Grating (R=200)

BandFlux (mJy)Flux Density (mJy/arcsec^2)MagnitudeLine Strength (log{W/m^2})
N (10.5 microns)36617.5-16.3
Q (20.5 microns)1851604.3-15.9

MedN1 Grating (R=1000)

BandFlux (mJy)Flux Density (mJy/arcsec^2)MagnitudeLine Strength (log{W/m^2})
N (10.5 microns)821426.6-16.7
Q (20.5 microns)4103553.5-16.2

MedN2 Grating (R=3000)

BandFlux (mJy)Flux Density (mJy/arcsec^2)MagnitudeLine Strength (log{W/m^2})
N (10.5 microns)1432486.0-16.9
Q (20.5 microns)6345493.0-16.4

LowQ Grating (R=160)

BandFlux (mJy)Flux Density (mJy/arcsec^2)MagnitudeLine Strength (log{W/m^2})
N (10.5 microns)47827.2-16.2
Q (20.5 microns)104905.0-16.1

Echelle Grating (R=20000)

BandFlux (mJy)Flux Density (mJy/arcsec^2)MagnitudeLine Strength (log{W/m^2})
N (10.5 microns)3496045.1-17.3
Q (20.5 microns)7726682.8-16.7

Imaging

Filter (microns)Passband (%)Flux (mJy)Flux Density (mJy/arcsec^2)MagnitudeLine Strength (log{W/m^2})
10.5534.62.99.8-15.1
20.94214.52.37.1-14.7
11.2218.14.9.0-15.3
7.9105.56.19.8-15.8
8.8107.26.59.6-15.7
9.7109.06.69.2-15.6
10.31010.16.68.9-15.5
11.6913.26.88.4-15.5
12.5914.96.68.1-15.4
18.5928.25.76.6-15.1
19.82717.33.17.0-14.9