Characterizing the Kepler Focal Plane

Computer Science – Performance

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

The Kepler Mission is designed to determine the frequency of Earth-size planets in the habitable zone of solar like stars using a wide field photometer to monitor more than 100,000 stars for periodic transits. Launch is scheduled for February 2009. The Kepler focal plane covers 110 square degrees of sky with 42 back-illuminated CCDs each with two readout amplifiers, for a total of 84 data channels. The photometer is currently going through integration and testing at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation. The tests are designed to ensure that the photometer will meet its required specifications and to characterize its performance where possible. We will report the results of a month long test to characterize the focal plane by measuring read noise, bias level, dark current, gain, linearity, pixel response, full-well and saturation levels, along with the thermal dependence of these characteristics. In addition, we will report on a high-precision photometry test conducted with a flight grade CCD module and readout electronics to ensure that flight system is capable of detecting Earth-Sun equivalent transits of 84 parts per million.
Funding for this mission is provided by NASA's Discovery Program Office, SMD.

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