Probing the Invisible Universe: The Case for Far-IR/Submillimeter Interferometry
Abstract
The question "How did we get here and what will the future bring?" captures the human imagination and the attention of the National Academy of Science's Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Commitee (AASC). Fulfillment of this "fundamental goal" requires astronomers to have sensitive, high angular and spectral resolution observations in the far-infrared/submillimeter (far-IR/sub-mm) spectral region. With half the luminosity of the universe and vital information about galaxy, star and planet formation, observations in this spectral region require capabilities similar to those currently available or planned at shorter wavelengths. In this paper we summarize the scientific motivation, some mission concepts and technology requirements for far-IR/sub-mm space interferometers that can be developed in the 2010-2020 timeframe.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0202085,
title = {Probing the Invisible Universe: The Case for Far-IR/Submillimeter Interferometry},
author = {D. Leisawitz and T. Armstrong and D. Benford and A. Blain and K. Borne W. Danchi and N. Evans and J. Gardner and D. Gezari and M. Harwit and A. Kashlinsky and W. Langer and C. Lawrence and P. Lawson and D. Lester and J. Mather and S. H. Moseley and L. Mundy and G. Rieke and S. Rinehart and M. Shao and R. Silverberg and D. Spergel and J. Staguhn and M. Swain and W. Traub and S. Unwin and E. Wright and H. Yorke},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0202085},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
11 pages, 6 figures, submitted as a "mission white paper" to NASA's SEU Roadmap Committee