One Degree Imager (ODI)

A rendering of the One Degree Imager mounted on the WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.

The WIYN One Degree Imager (ODI) is a state-of-the-art wide-field imaging instrument mounted at the f/6.3 Nasmyth port on the WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. With its 40x48-arcminute (0.67x0.75-degree) field of view, ODI can capture an area of the sky two and a half times the size of the full Moon in a single image while resolving objects as small as 0.3 arcseconds (0.000083 degrees) across. This makes it ideal for taking detailed images of large but faint astronomical objects. 

ODI utilizes both WIYN's wide field of view and excellent image quality. The image is broken down into individual pixels, each covering 0.11 arcseconds (0.000003056 degrees) of sky. The sharpness of images can be actively improved by correcting images for tip/tilt image motion. ODI is funded by the WIYN partners and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

A wide-view image of the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635), demonstrating the large field of view.

An advantage of the ODI camera is that it is not directly attached to the telescope tube. As the telescope swings across the night sky, the massive 1270-kilogram (2800-pound) camera is permanently and safely mounted at a fixed location at the Nasmyth focus. Here, the camera can accommodate very large special filters that each transmit a very narrow range of color, something that would be difficult for a camera mounted directly on the telescope. 

Science Highlights of ODI

• A Familiar-Looking Messenger from Another Solar System

Quick Facts