1. The Origins Space Telescope
- Author
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Itsuki Sakon, C. Wu, John Steeves, D. Ramspacher, B. G. Beaman, Charles R. Lawrence, Karin Sandstrom, K. Sheth, Susanna Petro, Jeffrey R. Olson, T. Mooney, C. Sandin, Matthew East, Ruth Carter, Desika Narayanan, K. Harvey, Kate Y. L. Su, T. L. Roellig, John C. Mather, L. Dewell, Sean Carey, R. Bell, Denis Burgarella, Tracee L. Jamison, C. Lynch, Eric E. Mamajek, Lee Armus, Joseph M. Howard, C. P. Earle, Cassandra Webster, George Helou, Gregory E. Martins, Damon Bradley, J. S. Knight, Stefanie N. Milam, Samuel H. Moseley, M. Gerin, T. P. Greene, Margaret Meixner, Gary J. Melnick, Alexandra Pope, B. J. Gavares, Tiffany Kataria, M. J. Rieke, S. Edgington, P. Beltran, Jean L. Turner, E. Stoneking, Jon Arenberg, Louis G. Fantano, M. Petach, Asantha Cooray, J. D. Chi, Lenward T. Seals, David Leisawitz, S. Tompkins, Michael Jacoby, J. Bolognese, Arturo Giles Flores, Alex Griffiths, C. Derkacz, P. Lightsey, Mike DiPirro, Douglas Scott, G. Feller, Z. Granger, L. Hilliard, Frank Helmich, Kimberly Ennico, Edward L. Wright, Charles M. Bradford, Joaquin Vieira, George H. Rieke, Jonas Zmuidzinas, E. De Beck, D. Padgett, James A. Corsetti, Johannes G. Staguhn, A. Nordt, Kevin B. Stevenson, E. A. Bergin, D. Folta, K. Tajdaran, S. Lipscy, Cara Battersby, Lynn Allen, L. Stokowski, J. J. Fortney, Edward Amatucci, A. Rao, Joseph A. Generie, James Bauer, K. S. Denis, Susan G. Neff, J. Pohner, Martina C. Wiedner, Lisa Kaltenegger, Klaus M. Pontoppidan, Dominic Benford, G. Harpole, T. D'Asto, T. Nguyen, A. Jamil, P. Knollenberg, Barto, Allison A., Breckinridge, James B., and Stahl, H. Philip
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Telescope ,Scientific instrument ,Physics ,COSMIC cancer database ,Spitzer Space Telescope ,Planetary habitability ,law ,Infrared telescope ,Astronomy ,Exoplanet ,Galaxy ,law.invention - Abstract
The Origins Space Telescope will trace the history of our origins from the time dust and heavy elements permanently altered the cosmic landscape to present-day life. How did galaxies evolve from the earliest galactic systems to those found in the universe today? How do habitable planets form? How common are life-bearing worlds? To answer these alluring questions, Origins will operate at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths and offer powerful spectroscopic instruments and sensitivity three orders of magnitude better than that of Herschel, the largest telescope flown in space to date. After a 3 ½ year study, the Origins Science and Technology Definition Team will recommend to the Decadal Survey a concept for Origins with a 5.9-m diameter telescope cryocooled to 4.5 K and equipped with three scientific instruments. A mid-infrared instrument (MISC-T) will measure the spectra of transiting exoplanets in the 2.8 – 20 μm wavelength range and offer unprecedented sensitivity, enabling definitive biosignature detections. The Far-IR Imager Polarimeter (FIP) will be able to survey thousands of square degrees with broadband imaging at 50 and 250 μm. The Origins Survey Spectrometer (OSS) will cover wavelengths from 25 – 588 μm, make wide-area and deep spectroscopic surveys with spectral resolving power R ~ 300, and pointed observations at R ~ 40,000 and 300,000 with selectable instrument modes. Origins was designed to minimize complexity. The telescope has a Spitzer-like architecture and requires very few deployments after launch. The cryo-thermal system design leverages JWST technology and experience. A combination of current-state-of-the-art cryocoolers and next-generation detector technology will enable Origins’ natural backgroundlimited sensitivity.
- Published
- 2019