Contratto ASI/LunaAstrofisica delle Alte Energie

The observation and study of the Universe requires coordinated, if possible, contemporary observations in different windows of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The lack of atmosphere renders the Moon surface an appealing location for X and Gamma-ray telescopes. However, to be competitive with the space instruments already in operations, we need large X and gamma-ray telescopes that are far too big to be considered for space operations.

However, instruments do not perform better on the Moon.

Thus, to be competitive with the space instruments already in operations, we need large X and gamma-ray telescopes that are far too big to be considered for space operations.

The four Telescopes we have selected to explore the Universe in the energy band few keV, many GeV, are transit instruments with no specific pointing requirements, (the sources will cross the instruments field of view at 0.5/h at the Equator). Placing the instruments on the Moon equatorial region would allow an even coverage of the sky and ease the communications.

Requirements for the Lunar AO

>> Four Instruments to explore the Sky in the few keV- many GeV energy band

>> The Instruments are not pointed but only aligned to a selected region of the sky, the sources will drift in the FOV.

>> All the pointings will be possible (when the Sun is not in the FOV)

>> 27 terrestrial days (one Lunar rotation) continuous observation.

>>High bit-rate communication with Earth.

>>Possibility to build the Observatory via a modular approach,

ASRIAll Sky X-ray Imager Energy Range: 0.5-60 KeV2 Detectors : 0.5-15 KeV, 5-60 KeV

FoV30 arcmin

Angular Resolution: 10 (5) arcsec

Energy Resolution:E/E ~ 200

Time resolution:no stringent requirements

Scientific Objectivesto survey the sky in the 1-60 KeV energy band at flux levels much fainter than any survey has reached so far.

One million sources reaching redshift Z>4 for an area of 1000 square degrees.

Mirrors and Detectors will be mounted into two separate units which will be placed in the proper position by a robotic system.

Formation Flying for Astrophysics SIMBOL-X : An X Ray Mission~ [ 0,5keV 70 to 80keV ]

Possible mirrors configurations

SPACE COMPETITORSeROSITAXEUS

TIGRETiming Italian Gamma Ray ExperimentEnergy Range: 1-20 keV Timing only, 1-10 keV Imaging and TimingFoV:Timing only half sky, Slit collimator 1 x 60,Collimator and Mask: 60x 60Total Geometric Area: 100 modules of 1 m2 = 100 m2Time resolution 10 s

Scientific ObjectivesDetailed study of individual cycles of Quasi Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) in Galactic binariesSurvey of X-ray pulsarsTemporal variability and quasi-periodicity during the prompt phase of gamma-ray burstsHigh resolution timing study of bursts from magnetars

SPACE COMPETITORSRXTE will stop in 1-2 y.

GRIMGamma Ray IMagerEnergy Range: 0.03-1 MeV, up to 10 MeV in 2 p modeFoV:4 x 4 , 33 x 33 Angular resolution 0.7-7 arcminEnergy resolution 1 % @100 keV0.5% @511 keV Total Geometric Area: 9 m2Time resolution 5 s

Scientific ObjectivesObscured sources, Black Holes Physics Neutron Star Physics and Transient PhenomenaGC Supermassive BHSupermassive Black Holes in AGNs

GRB to probe the far Universe

GRIM

GRIM

SPACE COMPETITORS

PIMPlastic Imager on the MoonEnergy Range: 50- MeV 200 GeV FoV:3 sr. Angular resolution few arcminEnergy resolution < 10 % Total Geometric Area: >> 1 m2Time resolution tenth of nsec

Scientific Objectives Gamma-Ray Burst Galactic sources studies (all classes) Diffuse emission from the Milky Way Blazar and Active Galactic Nuclei Isotropic diffuse emission Test of Quantum gravity models

PIMTraker and Calorimeter configuration

SPACE COMPETITORS

The four telescopes are very big, they cannot be sent to the Moon in just one flight unless a system like the one in the NASA ESAS study is available . 35 Ton + 10 Ton 10 Ton

X and gamma-ray astronomy could blossom on the Moon surface.However, the flight opportunity of 2011 and 2012 is not suitable for the ambitious goals we have set for the Lunar A.O.CONCLUSIONS

In view of the space competitors, it makes no sense to propose a small payload for the first flight opportunity.A Payload in the 80 kg. range can accommodate only a test instrument or a technological demonstrator. Such a small instrument could provide useful information for the detailed design of the future BIG TELESCOPES.

CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSIONS

The 2012 opportunity could be used to fly to the Moon a small instrument to get the best possible information on one of the critical lunar parameter like the Dust, the Micrometeorites, the Temperature excursions of the Telescopes components, the total Radiation. All those inputs will be needed when the Big Telescope time will arrive.