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A. A. Schwartz, A. E. Wehrle (California Institute of Technology)
The Space Interferometry Mission will conduct multiple observations of stars and other astronomical objects to obtain positions, proper motions and parallax information, and ultimately to search for extrasolar planets. The observation sequence for each object will be conducted over the life of the mission (5-10 yr) and the time intervals between observations of an object may vary in a logarithmic or other manner in order to reduce aliasing in the planet search. Where cadence issues are not of concern, objects may be observed at equal intervals and all such objects that can be observed within a small (approx. 7.5 degree radial) region of the sky will, for scheduling efficiency, be observed sequentially within that region on a periodic basis. In addition, an astrometric reference grid will be generated by observing, at periodic intervals, a set of known astrometrically stable stars spread uniformly over the celestial sphere. In order to balance competing requirement of observation cadence constraints, grid observation periodicity, and observation efficiency, as well as the desire to maximize the science return over the life of the mission, a number of different observation approaches, including the "Orange Peel" and "Ball of String" projections, are being examined. This paper presents a study of how well some of these approaches meet the overall goals of SIM.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: arnold@ipac.caltech.edu
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.