Design of a spaceborne astrometric survey instrument

Robert D. Reasenberg; James D. Phillips

doi:10.1117/12.324484

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28 August 1998 Design of a spaceborne astrometric survey instrument

Robert D. Reasenberg, James D. Phillips

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Proceedings Volume 3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324484
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

We have investigated the design of a small astrometric and photometric survey instrument in the Hipparcos tradition. Such a mission will support a rich and diverse ensemble of scientific investigations. The design objectives, which have been met in this study, are to be able to measure 10⁷ stars over the full sky, with an accuracy of 0.05 mas for mag < 9 and 20 mas for mag 15. A scanning survey instrument that uses CCD detectors is able to measure many stars simultaneously. As compared to a pointed astrometric instrument of comparable size, the survey instrument generally has much higher measurement throughput, but on average, less scientific interest per target. An instrument for astrometry, unlike those for imaging, can be compact and yet scientifically productive.

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Robert D. Reasenberg and James D. Phillips "Design of a spaceborne astrometric survey instrument", Proc. SPIE 3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V, (28 August 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324484

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