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The Nuclear Astrophysics ExplorerThe Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer (NAE) is a concept for a possible future NASA Explorer mission which would obtain high resolution, E/Delta E about 500, observations of gamma-ray lines in order to study many fundamental problems in astrophysics. It operates from 15 keV to 10 MeV with a 3-sigma sensitivity of about 3 x 10 to the -6th ph/sq cm-s in a 10 to the 6th s observation. This is 100 times below the presently known gamma-ray line fluxes. The NAE uses a heavily shielded array of nine cooled Ge detectors in a very low background configuration. Its 10-deg field of view contains a versatile coded mask system which provides 2D imaging with 4-deg resolution, 1D imaging with 2-deg resolution and efficient measurements of emission from diffuse and point sources. The late 1990s is the earliest the NAE mission could begin. The scientific motivation, instrument concept, mission concept and expected results, and status and plans for the NAE are presented.
Document ID
19910063396
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Matteson, James L.
(California, University San Diego, United States)
Teegarden, B. J.
(California Univ. San Diego, CA, United States)
Gehrels, Neil
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mahoney, William A.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: High-energy astrophysics in the 21st century
Location: Taos, NM
Country: United States
Start Date: December 11, 1989
End Date: December 14, 1989
Accession Number
91A48019
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-449
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-30338
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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