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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

New Techniques for the Next Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Mission

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) has been a great success, and has addressed many critical scientific questions (Moos, et al, 2000). However, it has also highlighted the need for even more powerful instrumentation in the 900- 1200 A, regime. In particular, significantly increased effective area will permit the pursuit of additional scientific programs currently impractical or impossible with FUSE. It is unlikely that FUSE will last more than a few more years. Nor is it likely that any large scale UV-optical follow-on to HST (such as SUVO) will include the 900-1200 A, bandpass. However, FUSE remains well oversubscribed and continues to perform excellent science. Therefore, a MIDEX class mission in the next 4-6 years that could significantly improve on the FUSE capabilities would be a powerful scientific tool that would be of great utility to the astronomical community. It would open up new scientific programs if it can improve on the sensitivity of FUSE by an order of magnitude. We have identified a powerful technique for efficient, high-resolution spectroscopy in the FUV (and possibly the EUV) that may provide exactly what is needed for such a mission To achieve a factor of 10 improvement in effective area, we propose using a large (meter class), low-cost, grazing incidence metal optics. This would produced in a manner similar to the EUVE mirrors (Green, et al, 1986), using diamond turning to create the optical figure followed by uncontrolled polishing to achieve a high quality surface. This process will introduce significant figure errors that will degrade the image quality. However, if a holographic grating is employed, which has utilized the actual telescope in the recording geometry, all wavefront errors will be automatically corrected in the end-to-end spectrometer, and high quality spectroscopy will be possible with low quality (and low-cost) optics. In this way a MIDEX class FUSE can be proposed with 10 times the effective area of the current instrument.

Green, James C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Galactic far-ultraviolet sky as seen by Faust: Modeling and observations

We test the model of the Galactic point source sky recently extended to the far-ultraviolet by Cohen (1994) against the set of Galactic far-ultraviolet point sources detected by the Far Ultraviolet Space Telescope (FAUST) experiment. We find excellent agreement between the predicted (log N, log S) and the observed source counts for a range of Galactic directions observed by Faust. At low galactic latitudes, we can directly infer the amount of interstellar extinction in a given direction associated with local molecular complexes, based on comparison of model calculations and FAUST star counts. The model can also be used to predict the statistical stellar content of any field. We compare the model predcitions with the observations of Brosch et al. (1994), who have spectroscopically studied an optically identified complete sample of FAUST objects in a region near the north Galactic pole. We have used the model to determine that the contribution of far-ultraviolet stars fainter than 6 x 10(exp -14) ergs/s/sq cm/A (the FAUST detection limit) is less than 1% of the diffuse sky brightness, and less than about 4% of the total point source flux.

Cohen, Martin↗
NASA NTRS1974

Cosmic far ultraviolet background

The expected intensities of various possible components of the far ultraviolet background are discussed. It is concluded that existing results do not place interesting constraints on the density of the intergalactic medium (IGM). Current techniques and instrumentation for far ultraviolet astronomy are, however, sufficient to achieve vastly improved limits. New observations are required to determine whether the IGM can be detected in the far ultraviolet or whether the extragalactic component of the background is masked by radiation with a more local origin.

Davidsen, A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A rocket observation of the far-ultraviolet spectrum of Saturn

Far-ultraviolet (1160-1750 A) spectra of the Saturnian disk and the ring system have been obtained by using a very sensitive rocket-borne spectrograph with a microchannel plate detector. The use of two apertures of different diameter in the telescope focal plane permitted the separation of the contribution of the planetary disk from that of the rings. H I lambda 1216 was the only atomic spectral line emission detected in the planet and the rings. A weak signal from the disk between 1300 A and 1500 A was observed. Geometric disk albedos, averaged over 50 A, were determined from 1500 A to 1700 A. Measurements of the ring reflectivity longward of 1650 A are compatible with H2O frost but not NH3 frost.

Weiser, H.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Hardware and Methods of the Optical End-to-End Test of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE), currently being tested and scheduled for a 1999 launch, is an astrophysics satellite designed to provide high spectral resolving power (Lambda/(Delta)Lambda = 24,000-30,000) over the interval 90.5-118.7 nm. The FUSE optical path consists of four co-aligned, normal incidence, off-axis parabolic, primary mirrors which illuminate separate Rowland circle spectrograph channels equipped with holographic gratings and delay line microchannel plate detectors. We describe the hardware and methods used for the optical end-to-end test of the FUSE instrument during satellite integration and test. Cost and schedule constraints forced us to devise a simplified version of the planned optical test which occurred in parallel with satellite thermal-vacuum testing. The optical test employed a collimator assembly which consisted of four co-aligned, 15" Cassegrain telescopes which were positioned above the FUSE instrument, providing a collimated beam for each optical channel. A windowed UV light source, remotely adjustable in three axes, was mounted at the focal plane of each collimator. Problems with the UV light sources, including high F-number and window failures, were the only major difficulties encountered during the test. The test succeeded in uncovering a significant problem with the secondary structure used for the instrument closeout cavity and, furthermore, showed that the mechanical solution was successful. The hardware was also used extensively for simulations of science observations, providing both UV light for spectra and visible light for the fine error sensor camera.

Conard, Steven J.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Enhanced Aluminum Reflecting and Solar-Blind Filter Coatings for the Far-Ultraviolet

The advancement of far-ultraviolet (FUV) coatings is essential to meet the specified throughput requirements of the Large UV/Optical/IR (LUVOIR) Surveyor Observatory which will cover wavelengths down to the 100 nm range. The biggest constraint in the optical thin film coating design is attenuation in the Lyman-Alpha Ultraviolet range of 100-130 nm in which conventionally deposited thin film materials used in this spectral region (e.g. aluminum [Al] protected with Magnesium fluoride [MgF2]) often have high absorption and scatter properties degrading the throughput in an optical system. We investigate the use of optimally deposited aluminum and aluminum tri-fluoride (AlF3) materials for reflecting and solar blind band-pass filter coatings for use in the FUV. Optical characterization of the deposited designs has been performed using UV spectrometry. The optical thin film design and optimal deposition conditions to produce superior reflectance and transmittance using Al and AlF3 are presented.

optical thin films↗
NASA NTRS1984

A Far Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph for Shuttle

The development of the Far Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (FUVIS) Shuttle sortie missions, is described. Objectives of the experiment are to obtain spatially-resolved far-ultraviolet spectra of extraterrestrial sources, including emission-line and reflection nebulae, diffuse background radiation, extragalactic objects, and comets. The use of fast focal ratio (f/1) Schmidt optics and an opaque CsI photocathode which affords high quantum efficiency in the far-UV provides the maximum possible diffuse source sensitivity. Measured emission line intensities of 5 Rayleighs (or continua of intensity 1 R/A) in 300 sec exposures are expected. The development includes a dedicated pointing platform and a low light level television camera for payload specialist use in target acquisition and guiding.

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Far-ultraviolet studies. V - Rocket observation of the diffuse cosmic background

A far-ultraviolet spectrometer and several far-ultraviolet photometers have been carried to an altitude of 347 km to measure the spectrum of three regions at high galactic latitudes. After correction for O I airglow and for stars in the field of view, a nearly uniform residual intensity of 285 plus or minus 32 photons per (sq cm s sr A) is found over the spectral range 1230-1680 A, along with some evidence for a sharp rise in intensity longward of 1680 A. It is argued that the signal is not likely to be due to light scattering from interstellar dust. The flat spectrum could represent the integrated light of distance galaxies. The sharp rise must be due to some other phenomenon.

Anderson, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The S201 far-ultraviolet imaging survey. III - A field in Sagittarius

Far-ultraviolet imagery of a 20 deg diameter field in Sagittarius, centered near (1950) R.A. 18 h 34 m, decl. -30 deg 25 arcmin, was obtained by the S201 far-ultraviolet camera during the Apollo 16 mission. In a 10-minute exposure covering the 1250-1600 A wavelength range, 1034 star images are detectable, with a limiting ultraviolet magnitude of about 10. Most of these objects are identified with early-type stars listed in the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog, the Catalog of Stellar Identifications, or both, but 203 objects remain unidentified or are identified with late-type stars. The photometric measurements appear to be in reasonable agreement with those of the International Ultraviolet Explorer for stars in common, and with expectations for A0 stars. A detailed photometric study was made of the Messier 8 region, and it is concluded that dust-scattered starlight contributes about half of the total radiation observed from the central region of M8.

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The S201 far-ultraviolet imaging survey. II - A field in Cygnus

Far-ultraviolet imagery of a region in Cygnus, a 20 deg diameter field centered near (1950) R. A. 21 h 31.2 m decl. +37 deg 25 arcmin, was obtained by the S201 far-ultraviolet camera during the Apollo 16 mission. In a 10 minute exposure covering the 1250-1600 A wavelength range (effective wavelength 1400 A), 730 star images can be detected, corresponding to a limiting ultraviolet magnitude of about m (1400) = 10. Assuming nominal interstellar extinction values in this region near the galactic plane, this result corresponds to the detection of A0 V stars to a distance of 300 pc and of B0 V stars to 1500 pc. Uncertainties in spectral classification and interstellar extinction for individual objects are probably more significant than calibration or measurement errors. Most of the objects detected are identified with stars in the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog (1966), or the Catalog of Stellar Identifications (1979) or both, but 87 objects remain unidentified (or are identified with late-type stars).

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The S201 far-ultraviolet imaging survey. I - Two fields at high galactic latitude

Far-ultraviolet imagery was obtained of 10 20-deg diameter fields by the S201 far-ultraviolet camera during the Apollo 16 mission. The present discussion is of two high galactic latitude fields, in Grus and Aquarius, in which exposures of up to 30 minutes duration were obtained in the 1250-1600 A wavelength range (effective wavelength 1400 A), and in which objects as faint as m(1400) = 11.8 are detected. The number versus magnitude relation for the observed objects appears to peak near m(1400) = 10, implying that relatively few such objects exist at magnitudes fainter than our sensitivity limit. Most of the stellar contribution to the ultraviolet radiation field is contributed by stars brighter than m(1400) = 6, which are mainly nearby late B and early A members of the galactic disk population. The objects fainter than m(1400) = 8, however, appear to be members of a second population of hot, subluminous objects, but further ground-based observations of these objects are needed.

Carruthers, G. R.↗