CRISTA: a cryogenic IR telescope with high spatial resolution

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Abstract
A limb sounding cryogenic IR telescope named CRISTA (cryogenic infrared spectrometers and telescopes for the atmosphere) has been developed to study dynamic disturbances in the middle atmosphere with high spatial (horizontal and vertical) resolution. For this purpose, it measures mid and far IR emissions of several trace constituents at earth's limb using three independent telescopes with high off-axis rejection performance. Height profiles are derived from simultaneous scans of the three telescope LOS. The radiation received is spectrally analyzed by grating spectrometers followed by Si:Ga and Ge:Ga detectors. High sensitivity together with improved spatial resolution leads to a spacing of only 500 km to 600 km between two adjacent measurement points and thus to a far more detailed picture of the atmosphere compared to present day satellite experiments. CRISTA, integrated in the free-flyer ASTROSPAS, is launched in 1994 by the space shuttle for a short duration mission and will be part of ATLAS 3.

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