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NuSTAR: Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array
NuSTAR,(Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array)
scheduled to launch in March 2012 will open a window into the high
energy universe, making possible new studies of extragalactic objects
as well as our own Milky Way. NuSTAR will observe supernova and the
regions around black holes to enhance our understanding of stellar
evolution and the nature of the most energetic phenomena in the
universe.
Mission Characteristics
 Lifetime:
March 2012
Energy Range:
5 - 80 keV
Special Features:
First high energy focusing optics telescope above 10 keV
Payload:
- NuSTAR hosts two twin modules, made up of four Cadmium-Zinc-Tellurium
detectors each. These room-temperature detectors are state-of-the-art
when it comes to turning high-energy photons into electrons.
- Cesium-Iodine (CsI) crystals shield the focal planes ensuring that
high-energy photons as well as cosmic rays that do not cross NuSTAR's
optical axis can be subtracted.
- Angular Resolution: 43" (HPD), 7.5" (FWHM)
- Field of View: 13' x 13'
- Energy Resolution: 1.2 keV at 68 keV (FWHM)
- Temporal Resolution: 0.1 ms
- Maximum Flux Measurement Rate: 10,000 cts/s
- ToO response: < 48 hours
- Launch date: March 2012
- Orbit: 550 km x 600 km, 6 degree inclination
[NuSTAR home page]
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