Compact multichannel imaging camera for wide-field imaging of diffused sources

We describe a multichannel camera operating in the visible to near-infrared wavelengths (450 to 900 nm) with an etendue of 0.08 cm(2) sr that can be used to image extended sources across multiple optical bands, capable of 3 sigma detection of 20 Rayleigh signal in 120 s. It has an angular resolution of 0.1 deg and a 35 deg x 25 deg field of view, employing a charge-coupled device detector in a compact 1U CubeSat compatible form factor (10 x 10 x 8 cm(3)). The design uses commercial off-the-shelf components while offering versatility using a mosaic of bandpass filters to select different spectral channels to address a wide range of remote sensing needs. The specific implementation described here covers the application of the instrument to explore the neutral sodium and potassium atom density distribution in the atmospheres of the Earth or the Moon. (c) 2022 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)