| Name: Praveen Kumar |
| Affiliation: Indian Institute of Astrophysics |
| Conference ID: ASI2026_741 |
| Title: Development of a compact UV spectrograph for survey of Interstellar medium |
| Abstract Type: Poster |
| Abstract Category: Facilities, Technologies and Data science |
| Author(s) and Co-Author(s) with Affiliation: Praveen Kumar(Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore - 560034), Rekhesh Mohan(Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore - 560034) |
| Abstract: The ultraviolet (UV) spectrum is a rich domain in astrophysics, characterized by a greater density of absorption and emission lines than any other segment of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, due to significant absorption by the Earth’s atmosphere, ground based UV observations are limited. Observations can only be made by going to space or near space environments. The goal is to design and develop a UV spectrograph and qualify it for space flight. The primary science objective is to study the physical conditions in extended regions of the sky. The proposed spectrograph would measure atomic and molecular lines in the UV region, covering the range from 1400 to 2700 Å. This band covers spectral lines from many phases of the ISM – the hot gas (for eg. C IV 1548/1550 Å) in supernova remnants (SNR) to the warm gas (N III, 1750 Å) in planetary nebulae. The Interstellar extinction bump at 2175 Å is also covered in this observing band. Given the current state of evolution and directions in the private space sector in India, small
payloads have better chances of obtaining a flight. We have been offered free launch and operations by space startups for small payloads. Based on these considerations and the primary science goals, the preliminary design target would be to fit the spectrograph into a 12U volume (200 x 200 x 300 mm) within a mass budget of 12 kg. A spectral resolution of 0.5 Å is required to separate spectral doublets like the C IV line. The detector will be a solar blind photon counting unit from photek (or equivalent). The science goals can be met within a mission life of about 2 years. |
