PhoSim-NIRCam: Photon-by-photon image simulations of the James Webb Space Telescope's Near-Infrared Camera

Abstract

Recent instrumentation projects have allocated resources to develop codes for simulating astronomical images. Novel physics-based models are essential for understanding telescope, instrument, and environmental systematics in observations. A deep understanding of these systematics is especially important in the context of weak gravitational lensing, galaxy morphology, and other sensitive measurements. In this work, we present an adaptation of a physics-based ab initio image simulator: The Photon Simulator (PhoSim). We modify PhoSim for use with the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) -- the primary imaging instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This photon Monte Carlo code replicates the observational catalog, telescope and camera optics, detector physics, and readout modes/electronics. Importantly, PhoSim-NIRCam simulates both geometric aberration and diffraction across the field of view. Full field- and wavelength-dependent point spread functions are presented. Simulated images of an extragalactic field are presented. Extensive validation is planned during in-orbit commissioning.

References in corpus (4)

• The James Webb Space Telescope
• Simulation of Astronomical Images from Optical Survey Telescopes using a Comprehensive Photon Monte Carlo Approach
• SimCADO - an instrument data simulator package for MICADO at the E-ELT
• Deformation of Optics for Photon Monte Carlo Simulations

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Point spread function modelling for astronomical telescopes: a review focused on weak gravitational lensing studies
• Sensor Distortion Effects in Photon Monte Carlo Simulations
• Weak Lensing analysis of Abell 2390 using short exposures
• The WEAVE acquisition and guiding software: pattern recognition-based acquisition and multi-fibre guiding