论文标题
X射线天体物理学的Halosat和Polarlight立方体任务
The HaloSat and PolarLight CubeSat Missions for X-ray Astrophysics
论文作者
论文摘要
X射线带中的天文观测受到大气衰减的约束，必须在该空间中进行。立方体为空间X射线天体物理学提供了一种经济有效的手段，但仅允许有限的质量和体积。在本文中，我们描述了两个成功的基于立方体的任务Halosat和Polarlight，它们都在KEV能量范围内敏感。 Halosat是配备硅漂移探测器的6U立方体。它对氧气线的发射进行了全天候的调查，并揭示了银河系周围的环境介质的块状性质。 Polarlight是使用1U有效载荷中的气体像素检测器执行光电子跟踪的专用X射线极性计。它观察到了最亮的X射线对象，并有助于限制其磁场或积聚几何形状。多年来，这两个任务的轨道运行都证明了方形群体作为有效的天文平台的能力。任务的开发和建设的快速时间尺度使它们在学生培训中特别有吸引力。
Astronomical observations in the X-ray band are subject to atmospheric attenuation and have to be performed in the space. CubeSats offer a cost effective means for space-based X-ray astrophysics but allow only limited mass and volume. In this article, we describe two successful CubeSat-based missions, HaloSat and PolarLight, both sensitive in the keV energy range. HaloSat was a 6U CubeSat equipped with silicon drift detectors. It conducted an all-sky survey of oxygen line emission and revealed the clumpy nature of the circumgalactic medium surrounding the Milky Way. PolarLight is a dedicated X-ray polarimeter performing photoelectron tracking using a gas pixel detector in a 1U payload. It observed the brightest X-ray objects and helped constrain their magnetic field or accretion geometry. On-orbit operation of both missions for multiple years demonstrates the capability of CubeSats as an effective astronomical platforms. The rapid time scales for development and construction of the missions makes them particularly attractive for student training.
