DEBRIS sightings in the Kepler field

摘要: A small fraction of Kepler telescope exposures are rejected because transient, excess background in the field. The patterns illumination vary from broad streaks to diffuse patches, sometimes filling focal plane. Examination of such images and their temporal variation shows that they can be attributed nearby particles crossing field-of-view of telescope. Most appear receding. The visual appearance frequency consistent with the "debris storms" reported by STEREO SECCHI observers which found coincident meteoroid impacts. In addition, a few events, lasting several hours each, caused more distant extended sources, possibly the remains comet dust trails. tracking cameras, located at opposite end telescope's entrance, pointed at roughly right angles its line-of-sight, also detected moving light sources. Their behavior was the main sightings. Future missions requiring precise, uninterrupted photometry pointing may benefit from understanding this phenomenon mitigating it design data analysis.