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Ecological Niches for Space Missions in the Far-InfraredThe far-infrared and submillimeter region (30 micron-750 micron) has perhaps the greatest potential of all wavelengths for advancement in astronomy. When viewed in terms of the cosmic backgrounds, the far-IR is extremely important: half of the total luminosity in the Universe is emitted at rest wavelengths approximately 80-100 microns. At the highest known galaxy redshifts, this energy is redshifted to approximately 600 microns. Existing and planned missions have a broad range of capabilities defined in terms of their spectral coverage, spectral resolution, angular resolution, survey speed, and sensitivity. In this parameter space, the opportunity for future far-IR and submillimeter missions with great discovery potential is evident. Such missions will answer fundamental questions about the history of energy release in the Universe, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and formation of stellar and protoplanetary systems. We discuss the parameter space that can be filled by a few well-chosen space missions, specifically a submillimeter all-sky survey and a far-IR to submillimeter observatory.
Document ID
20020080834
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Benford, D. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Fisher, Richard R.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2nd Workshop on New Concepts for Far-IR/Submillimeter Space Astronomy
Location: MD
Country: United States
Start Date: March 7, 2002
End Date: March 8, 2002
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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