Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aas...21743303l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #217, #433.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43, 2011
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission (WFIRST) is the Decadal Survey's highest recommended space mission. Its three mandates are (1) to study dark energy via measurement of the expansion history of the universe and the growth of large-scale structure, thereby providing tight constraints on the equation of state of dark energy and test the validity of general relativity; (2) to conduct intensive imaging of selected regions for exoplanet microlensing; and (3) to provide a general purpose surveying capability for the near infrared waveband. During the coming year, a Science Definition Team will be empaneled to prioritize the mission payload features and operations plans. To begin the misson definition process, we present four alternative WFIRST concepts and compare their quantitative science yields based on survey rates. We contrast these with alternative missions that have been proposed previously. Our WFIRST calculations are based on a newly developed unobscured focal TMA optical concept offering distinct simultaneous focal lengths for imaging and spectroscopy, reported in a companion poster by Sholl et al, and on a large modular focal plane concept reported on on a companion poster by Jelinsky et al. With these advances, we show that WFIRST can deliver a science yield superior to previously discussed dark energy and exoplanet missions.
Lampton Michael
Levi Michael
Sholl Michael
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