Main lessons from the SIGMA mission for the future of hard x-ray and soft gamma-ray astronomy

Francois Lebrun; Jaques Paul

doi:10.1117/12.130677

8 October 1992 Main lessons from the SIGMA mission for the future of hard x-ray and soft gamma-ray astronomy

Francois Lebrun, Jaques Paul

Proceedings Volume 1743, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy III; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.130677
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The hard X-ray/soft gamma-ray telescope SIGMA has been successfully operating for more than two years aboard the soviet spacecraft GRANAT. This paper is intended to give a report of the most important technical as well as astrophysical inferences which have been obtained from this mission. From these, the mandatory capabilities of a future mission with their relative priorities can be drawn. The most important ones are (1) simultaneous spectral and imaging capabilities, (2) a wide field of view, and (3) a better sensitivity at 0.5 MeV. A sketch of a possible future satellite experiment fulfilling these requirements is given. It is a spectral imager in the sense that priority is given to the angular resolution in comparison with the spectral resolution. Its field of view (360 degree(s) X 10 degree(s)) enables continuous monitoring of the galactic plane emission, involving no cooling, no mechanics, and a coarse stabilization, it should be very reliable, thus allowing a long duration mission. A highly eccentric orbit of the same type as that of GRANAT would be the most efficient.

Citation Download Citation

Francois Lebrun and Jaques Paul "Main lessons from the SIGMA mission for the future of hard x-ray and soft gamma-ray astronomy", Proc. SPIE 1743, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy III, (8 October 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.130677

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
7 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Spatial resolution

Sensors

Gamma radiation

Gamma-ray astronomy

Photomasks

X-ray astronomy

X-rays

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years