4K × 4K CCD Imager for the 3.6 m DOT: Recent Up-gradations and Results

Abstract

The 4K × 4K CCD Imager is the first light instrument for the 3.6[Formula: see text]m Devasthal Optical Telescope and is producing broad-band imaging observations of many Galactic and extra-galactic sources since 2015–2016. Capabilities of the CCD Imager are demonstrated recently through several publications using the well-calibrated multi-band deep photometric results as expected from other similar facilities globally. In this paper, we summarize some of the recent up-gradations made to improve the Imager, i.e. mounting the new filter wheel casing, replacing stray light baffles and discussing the fringe pattern corrections in redder filters. Some of the new science initiatives like galaxy-embedded faint point sources including WR stars and the observations of low surface brightness galaxy clusters are also discussed.