Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999esasp.435...13c&link_type=abstract
WORKSHOP ON ISO POLARISATION OBSERVATIONS. Eds. R.J. Laureijs & R. Siebenmorgen. ESA-SP 435, p. 13
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Infrared Astronomy, Polarimetry, Magnetic Fields
Scientific paper
M4 is a Small Explorer (SMEX) concept for a dedicated space-borne far-infrared imaging polarimeter satellite, which was proposed to NASA in 1997 and which will be proposed again in the upcoming SMEX competition planned for the end of this year. When flown, M4 will be the first mission to conduct large-area surveys of the magnetic field directions and structures in the dense interstellar medium of the Milky Way, nearby star-forming and quiescent dark molecular clouds, and the infrared cirrus. M4 consists of a superfluid helium cooled 20 cm telescope, polarization light analysis optics, and two 32 times 32 Ge:Ga array detectors operating broadband at 95microns wavelength. With no moving parts, M4 achieves high photometric and polarimetric sensitivity (S/N=150-600:1) via a novel mix of stepped spacecraft roll maneuvers and frequent recalibration using an internal light source. In its 4 to 6 month lifetime, M4 will map the magnetic field directions of over 1200 square degrees of the Milky Way with 0.8 - 2 arcmin resolution. The M4 flight plan also calls for a strong Guest Investigator Program of magnetic field mapping of nearby galaxies and Galactic targets.
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