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Session 56 - New Solar Instrumentation.
Display session, Wednesday, June 12
Tripp Commons,

[56.02] A High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy Mission - Probing the Mass Distribution and Chemical Evolution of the Universe

N. E. White (NASA-GSFC), H. D. Tananbaum (SAO)

We are studying a new X-ray Observatory for high resolution, and broad-band X-ray spectroscopy with a large collecting area. This mission represents the merger of the two approved NASA mission concept studies called the Next Generation X-ray Observatory (NGXO) and a Large Area X-ray Spectroscopy Mission (LAXSM). A selection of mission science goals are to: 1) Determine the abundance of all elements with atomic number between Carbon and Zinc (Z = 6 to 30) over a large range of redshift and on all scales in the universe; 2) Test cosmological models by studying clusters of galaxies including their evolution, associated dark matter distribution and mass fluctuations; 3) Constrain the evolution of supermassive black holes and test general relativity in the strong gravity limit by observing a large sample of AGN over a wide range of redshift and luminosity; 4) Observe the chemical enrichment of galaxies by studying supernova remnants and the interstellar medium within our galaxy and in nearby galaxies; and 5) investigate the role of magnetic fields in systems such as stars, jets, supernova remnants and the intergalactic medium. A resolving power of at least 300 across the line rich 0.4--10 keV band will resolve plasma diagnostic lines. This will be achieved using a combination of quantum calorimeters and reflection gratings with CCD readout. A resolution of 2eV at 6 keV is a design goal to provide velocity diagnostics of order 20 km/s and to fully resolve the iron K satellite lines. The use of calorimeter spectrometers will enable detailed spectral imaging of extended X-ray sources such as clusters of galaxies and supernova remnants. A hard X-ray telescope will provide simultaneous coverage of the 10-40 keV band to fully determine the underlying X-ray continuum and detect non-thermal emission processes. The peak collecting area is at least 15,000 sq cm. The most cost effective and minimal risk approach to achieve this large collecting area utilizes six identical low cost satellites.

Program listing for Wednesday