The Sloan Digital Sky Survey imaging camera: design and performance

摘要

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging camera saw first light in May 1998, and has been in regular operation since the start of the survey in April 2000. We review here key elements in the design of the instrument driven by the specific goals of the survey, and discuss some of the operational issues involved in keeping the instrument ready to observe at all times and in monitoring its performance. We present data on the mechanical and photometric stability of the camera, using on-sky survey data as collected and processed to date.