1. Novel design for an all-sky low-energy gamma-ray observatory (ALLEGRO)
- Author
-
Siegmund, Oswald H. W., Flanagan, Kathryn A., Ulmer, M. P., Dixon, D. D., Pendleton, G., Wheaton, Wm. A., Matz, S. M., Finley, J., Purcell, W. R., Nyquist, R., Jonaitis, J., Siegmund, Oswald H. W., Flanagan, Kathryn A., Ulmer, M. P., Dixon, D. D., Pendleton, G., Wheaton, Wm. A., Matz, S. M., Finley, J., Purcell, W. R., Nyquist, R., and Jonaitis, J.
- Abstract
We present a novel concept for a MIDEX satellite mission that allows all sky coverage for gamma-ray bursts and hard x-ray transients. The multiscale alternating shadow collimator (MASC) alone allows for arc minute positioning of 1 second bursts 3 times weaker than the BATSE sensitivity. Our scientific objectives include the ability: (a) to detect and monitor thousands of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and hard x- ray sources with sensitivity 3-10 times better than BATSE; (b) to solve the gamma-ray burst mystery; (c) to use gamma- ray bursts as probes of cosmological star formation and to measure cosmological parameters; (d) to understand the physics of the high energy radiation from AGNs and BLAZARs; (e) to study the physics of matter in the extreme around black holes and neutron stars; (f) to determine the pulsar birth rate and physical characteristics. The mission concept, MASC concept, and simulations are presented.
- Published
- 1999