Ultraviolet three-channel photographic photometer: the S183 experiment.

Area of Science:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Instrumentation and Observational Techniques

Background:

• Broadband photometry of ultraviolet (UV)-rich stars requires specialized instrumentation.
• Previous instruments may have limitations in sensitivity or spectral coverage for UV observations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel three-channel photographic photometer designed for broadband photometry of UV-rich stars.
• To present observational data from diverse astronomical targets using this new instrument.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dual-telescope optical design: an off-axis telescope for two channels (1878 Å and 2970 Å) and a Schmidt-Cassegrainian telescope for a third channel (2574 Å).
• Observed 34 star fields, including the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, Andromeda galaxy nucleus, and galactic nebulae.
• Achieved a limiting visual magnitude of approximately 12 at 2574 Å, recording over 3000 stars.

Main Results:

• Successfully deployed a three-channel photometer for UV stellar photometry.
• Acquired extensive photometric data for a significant number of stars across various extragalactic and galactic regions.
• Characterized the performance of photographic emulsions used in the instrument.

Conclusions:

• The developed photometer is effective for broadband photometry of UV-rich stars.
• The instrument facilitates the study of stellar populations and galactic structures in the UV spectrum.
• The observational data provide valuable insights into celestial objects within the studied regions.