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Maximizing science capability for far-infrared space missions
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Benford, Dominic Leisawitz, Dave Voellmer, George Moseley, Harvey Staguhn Sr., Johannes |
| Copyright Year | 2004 |
| Description | The far-infrared and submillimeter region (20 microns-800 microns) has perhaps the greatest potential of all wavelengths for advancement in astronomy. When viewed in terms of the cosmic backgrounds, the far-IR is extremely important: half of the total luminosity in the Universe is emitted at rest wavelengths approximately 80-100 microns. At the highest known galaxy redshifts (z approximately equal to 6) this energy is redshifted to approximately 600 microns. Existing and planned missions have a broad range of capabilities, defined in terms of their spectral coverage, spectral resolution, angular resolution, mapping speed, and sensitivity. In this 5-dimensional parameter space, the far-IR is substantially be-hind most other wavelength bands. The opportunity for future missions with great discovery potential is evident. Such missions will be well-suited to answering fundamental questions about the history of energy release in the Universe, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and formation of stellar and protoplanetary systems. We discuss the parameter space that can be filled by a few well-chosen space missions, specifically a submillimeter all-sky survey and a far-IR to submillimeter observatory. Ultimately, a long baseline submillimeter interferometer is necessary to provide sensitivity and angular resolution. |
| File Size | 481025 |
| Page Count | 5 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20040074281 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t45q9w93b |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2004-04-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Astronomy Far Infrared Radiation Red Shift Sensitivity Angular Resolution Space Missions Spectral Resolution Spaceborne Astronomy Milky Way Galaxy Submillimeter Waves Sky Surveys Astronomy Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
