UIST is a versatile near-infrared instrument capable of observing between 1 and 5 microns. With a 1024 x 1024 pixel detector array, it can be used for imaging, long slit spectroscopy, integral field spectroscopy and polarimetry. These capabilities enable a wide variety of studies from velocity structure and evolution of young circumstellar discs, to understanding the dynamics and physical processes in starburst galaxies and active galactic nuclei.
A novel aspect of the instrument is the incorporation of a deployable cryogenically cooled Integral Field Unit (IFU) – the first of its kind in a common user instrument. The technology developed for this IFU has proved invaluable to more recent instruments, including MIRI on
UIST was built by the UK ATC and delivered to the UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) in Hawaii in July 2002. It achieved first light in September 2002. Since UKIRT was taken over by the University of Hawaii, University of Arizona, NASA and Lockheed Martin in 2014, UIST is used for characterising space debris via their spectra.
UIST at UKIRT.
