All the resulting spectra are arranged into a datacube (see Figure 1) which contains the entire 2D field of view plus the third dimension drawn from the spectrograph, which splits the light into its different colours or wavelengths (see Figure 2).
In this method, the signal from each cell or pixel of the field is fed into a spectrograph, which then generates a spectrum for each individual pixel. IFUs are used in astronomy to study extended objects, such as nebulae, galaxies or a crowded cluster of stars or galaxies in one shot, using a technique known as integral field spectroscopy. This configuration of compound eyes allows tiny living beings like insects to have large visual detectors (relative to their body surface area), which provide them with a very wide field of view. Each of these facets is the surface of an ommatidium. The water drops act as lenses, making the facets clearly distinguishable. IFUs are widely used in Earth remote sensing, and more specifically in weather forecasting, and in the monitoring of natural disasters and climate change.Ĭlose-up of a fly, showing the composite eyes in detail. In an IFU the field of view is divided into many cells or segments to obtain a comprehensive overview of the whole. Using a similar principle, but with a completely different purpose, scientists have developed an instrument called the integral field unit (IFU).
The larger the number of ommatidia, the wider the insect’s field of view, and the sharper its vision. Ants can have anything from a few ommatidia to a thousand, flies and bees have a few thousand, while butterflies and dragonflies have a few tens of thousands. These work together to give one, very wide mosaic view. The secret lies in their compound eyes, which are made up of a large number of tiny photoreceptors (called ommatidia). Have you ever tried to catch one? You’d better be fast, because, like most insects, flies can detect movements 360° around them. Integral Field Units How to obtain a 3D view of a whole galaxy in one shot
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