The PRIME project large format near infrared camera for the microlensing events survey

Abstract

The PRime-focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment (PRIME) camera is part of the joint NASA-JAXA project in support of the spaceflight Roman Space Telescope project development. It is designed to accommodate the needs of the large-scale survey of the microlensing events in the Galactic bulge. The camera is placed in the prime focus of the 1.8-m telescope dedicated to this project. With four large-format infrared detectors, the instrument covers a field of view about 1.3 square degrees. Over the few years preceding and during the operations of the Roman Space Telescope, the instrument will be used for continuous monitoring of selected fields in the Galactic bulge for microlensing events and a number of other science programs of the consortium.