DCIXS Science During The Cruise Phase of the SMART-1 Mission

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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7519 Flares, 7539 Stellar Astronomy, 7554 X Rays, Gamma Rays, And Neutrinos, 7594 Instruments And Techniques

Scientific paper

The D-CIXS X-ray fluorescent spectrometer on SMART-1 is specifically designed to carry out a complete global survey of the Moon to derive absolute elemental abundances of the major rock-forming elements (Si, Al, Mg, Fe). However, the major portion of the baseline two-year mission is actually the transition phase between low-Earth orbit and lunar orbit insertion. This so-called "cruise phase" is expected to last 15-18 months (depending on the exact launch date of SMART-1). The D-CIXS instrument will be able to carry out important astronomical observations during this cruise phase of the mission. The astronomical targets chosen for these observations will be bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs), very bright galactic X-ray binary sources, and several galactic supernova remnants (SNRs). The SNRs will be used to calibrate the D-CIXS detectors and monitor their long-term performance during the extended cruise phase. The primary scientific goal of these observations will be to monitor the spectrum and overall brightness of these targets on time scales of a few days up to a maximum of 5 months. Other "unpredictable" targets could also be included in the final target selection. These could include bright comets and/or the X-ray fireball from gamma-ray bursters. We will also monitor the solar X-ray emission throughout the cruise phase in the 1-20 keV energy range with good energy and time resolution.

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