The NIRSpec IFU Point Spread Function
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: I provide characterizations of the point-spread function (PSF) of the high-resolution observing mode of the NIRSpec integral field unit on JWST. Using observations of an isolated late-type star, the two-dimensional shape of the star was modeled with concentric Gaussian profiles. The widths and weights of the representative Gaussian components that comprise the PSF model for a variety of drizzle reference frames and final spaxel sizes are presented. The PSF is noticeably elongated, with an axis ratio of ∼0.75. Both elongated PSF models as well as circular approximations to the PSF shape are included. The PSF is generally well-represented by a pair of concentric Gaussians, with ∼75% of the flux contained in a narrow core with a width on the order of a single spaxel, and the other ∼25% of the flux in a more extended halo.
Source: Research Notes of the AAS
Author: Misty C. Bentz
Institution: Georgia State University
Language: English
Subfield: Instrumentation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4410879170