Mapcam’s First Color Image (PNG)
On Sept. 19, the OCAMS MapCam camera recorded a star field in Taurus, north of the top of the constellation Orion as part of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft’s post-launch aliveness test. MapCam’s first color image is a composite of three of its four color filters, roughly corresponding to blue, green, and red wavelengths. The three images are processed to remove noise, co-registered, and enhanced to emphasize dimmer stars. Color variation in the stars at the pixel level highlights the motivation for calibrating the color response of the camera, which will occur in 6 months. This composite was derived from the following images: 20160919T162228S6220_map_L0b_V001.fits, 20160919T162251S4210_map_L0v_V001.fits, 20160919T162314S3180_map_L0w_V001.fits, 20160919T162337S6670_map_L0x_V001.fits.
Credit: NASA/GSFC/University of Arizona
The first light images of star fields from OCAMS’s MapCam and PolyCam illustrate each camera’s specialized function. MapCam’s medium resolution and wider field-of-view will help map the entire surface of Bennu in color. While PolyCam’s field of view is much smaller, it can see much fainter objects at a higher resolution. PolyCam’s ability to act as a telescopic will help the OSIRIS-REx team spot Bennu while it is still a point of light against a field of stars. Images used: 20160919T162205S7220_map_L0pan_V001.fits, 20160919T163144S6440_pol_L0pan_V001.fits
Credit: NASA/GSFC/University of Arizona