Submillimetre Spectroscopy with ODIN
Abstract
ODIN is a Swedish-international satellite for astronomy and aeronomy, with foreign partners being from Canada, Finland and France. ODIN will be launched in early 2001. To achieve its twofold objectives, ODIN will use its tunable heterodyne receivers to collect spectroscopic data in primarily the submm spectral domain of both astronomical objects and the atmosphere of the Earth. ODIN's astronomical science focuses naturally on similar areas as HERSCHEL's, with a strong weight on the physics and chemistry of the star forming interstellar medium in our own and in other galaxies. First ranked observations will specifically address the key molecules H2O and O2. To achieve optimum sensitivity for the detection of molecular oxygen, a 119 GHz receiver will be flown on ODIN. The ground state lines of H2O and of H218O will be observed as well as that of NH3. In addition, transitions from other species and their isotopes (C, CO, CS etc.) are also admitted by the receiver bands. The expected scientific capabilities of ODIN, resulting from the wide frequency coverage and the comparatively small beam size (2' at submm wavelengths) will be discussed with respect to the achievements of SWAS and also be put into perspective to those foreseen for HERSCHEL.
- Publication:
-
The Promise of the Herschel Space Observatory
- Pub Date:
- July 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001ESASP.460..313L
- Keywords:
-
- MISSIONS: ODIN;
- SUBMILLIMETRE ASTRONOMY: HETERODYNE SPECTROSCOPY;
- MOLECULES: O2;
- H2O;
- NH3