Wide-field Ultraviolet Imager for Astronomical Transient Studies

Abstract

Though the ultraviolet (UV) domain plays a vital role in the studies of astronomical transient events, the UV time-domain sky remains largely unexplored. We have designed a wide-field UV imager that can be flown on a range of available platforms, such as high-altitude balloons, CubeSats, and larger space missions. The major scientific goals are the variability of astronomical sources, detection of transients such as supernovae, novae, tidal disruption events, and characterizing AGN variability. The instrument has an 80 mm aperture with a circular field of view of 10.8 degrees, an angular resolution of around 22 arcsec, and a 240-390 nm spectral observation window. The detector for the instrument is a Microchannel Plate (MCP)-based image intensifier with both photon counting and integration capabilities. An FPGA-based detector readout mechanism and real-time data processing have been implemented. The imager is designed in such a way that its lightweight and compact nature are well fitted for the CubeSat dimensions. Here we present various design and developmental aspects of this UV wide-field transient explorer.

arXiv commentAccepted for publication in Experimental Astronomy

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• Two New "Turn-off" Changing-look Active Galactic nuclei and Implication on "Partially Obscured" AGNs
• Stellar Shocks From Dark Matter Asteroid Impacts
• Learning Transient Universe in Near-Ultraviolet By Wide-angle Cameras
• Prospect for UV observations from the Moon. III. Assembly and ground calibration of Lunar Ultraviolet Cosmic Imager (LUCI)
• The Near Ultraviolet Transient Surveyor (NUTS): An ultraviolet telescope to observe variable sources