[Previous] | [Session 91] | [Next]
J.W. MacKenty (STScI), NGST-MOS Study Team
The NGST-MOS team is exploring scientific and technology drivers for a multi-object spectrometer for the Next Generation Space Telescope. NGST-MOS would provide a field of view comparable to the NGST imaging field and observer definable slits well-matched to NGST's diffraction limited resolution. Based on a Micro Mirror Array (MMA) of 2048x2048 digitally controled bi-state mirrors used as a reflective slit mask, NGST-MOS would provide simultaneous spectroscopy of as many as 1000 targets with spectral resolution up to 3000. Our study is examining the spectrometer and MMA designs, developing a set of tools to model performance, defining a technology roadmap to flight qualified MMA devices, and exploring the scientific merits of this concept. Progress on small scale prototype MMA arrays fabricated to test design and construction concepts and to demonstrate cryogenic operation will be presented. NGST-MOS is supported by NASA contract NAS5-98167.
If the author provided an email address or URL for general inquiries, it is a
s follows: