A 4-meter wide field coronagraph space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations

Details A 4-meter wide field coronagraph space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations A 4-meter wide field coronagraph space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations

Jul 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010spie.7731e..46t&link_type=abstract

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave. Edited by Oschmann, Jacobus M., Jr.; Clampin

Physics

Optics

Scientific paper

The Wide Field Coronagraph Telescope (WFCT) is a 4-meter space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations that meets the 2000 Decadal Committee requirements. This paper presents a design for a 4-m diameter, off-axis space telescope that offers high performance in both wide field and coronagraphic imaging modes. A 3.8 x 3.3-m unobstructed elliptical pupil is provided for direct coronagraphic imaging of exoplanets and a 4-m diameter pupil for wide-field imaging from far-ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (IR). The off-axis wide-field optics are all reflective and designed to deliver an average of 12 nm wavefront aberrations over a 6 x 24 arcminute field of view (FOV), therefore providing diffraction-limited images down to 300 nm wavelength and 15 mas images down to a wavelength limit set only by the mirror coatings. The coronagraph with phase-induced amplitude apodization (PIAA) provides diffraction suppression around a 360-degree field with high Strehl and sensitivity at the 1e-10 level to an inner working angle of 2 λ/D (or 50 mas at 500 nm wavelength). This paper focuses on the optical design that allows the above imaging features to be combined in single telescope, and gives a preliminary spacecraft design and costing, assuming a distant trailing orbit.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A 4-meter wide field coronagraph space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A 4-meter wide field coronagraph space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A 4-meter wide field coronagraph space telescope for general astrophysics and exoplanet observations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1373887