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[111.09] The Spectroscopy of Plasma Evolution from Astrophysical Radiation (SPEAR) Mission: Early Status and Results

J. Edelstein, E. Korpela (SSL, U.C. Berkeley), K.W. Min, D.H. Lee (SaTReC, KAIST), W.Y. Han, U.W. Nam (KAO), Space Astrophysics Group SPEAR Team, Korea Astronomical Observatory FIMS Team, Satellite Technology Research Center FIMS Team

The Spectroscopy of Plasma Evolution from Astrophysical Radiation (SPEAR) payload, launched on the STSAT-1 Mission 27 September 2003, is scheduled to begin (December 2003) the first imaging (10’ resolution) spectral survey of diffuse far ultraviolet (900-1750 Angstrom, \lambda/\delta\lambda 600) emission from interstellar and intergalactic matter. The primary science objectives of the mission are to determine the flow of mass and energy through the interstellar medium (ISM), mapping the global distribution of the multiphase ISM, and testing competing models for the origin of the hot interstellar plasma. We report the status and preliminary science results from the beginning of the mission and describe opportunities for investigators.

The SPEAR payload is supported in part by NASA grant NAG5-5335. The Korea Ministry of Science and Technology supports the STSAT Mission.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.