ASTRO-H White Paper - Broad-band Spectroscopy and Polarimetry
Abstract
The broad energy range spanned by ASTRO-H instruments, from ~0.3 to 600 keV, with its high spectral resolution calorimeter and sensitive hard X-ray imaging, offers unique opportunities to study black holes and their environments. The ability to measure polarization is particularly novel, with potential sources including blazars, Galactic pulsars and X-ray binaries. In this White Paper, we present an overview of the synergistic instrumental capabilities and the improvements over prior missions. We also show how ASTRO-H fits into the multi-wavelength landscape. We present in more detail examples and simulations of key science ASTRO-H can achieve in a typical 100 ksec observation when data from all four instruments are combined. Specifically, we consider observations of black-hole source (Cyg X-1 and GRS 1915+105), blazars (Mrk 421 and Mrk 501), a quasar (3C 273), radio galaxies (Centaurus A and 3C 120), and active galaxies with a strong starburst (Circinus and NGC 4945). We will also address possible new discoveries expected from ASTRO-H.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- December 2014
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.1412.1190
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1412.1190
- Bibcode:
- 2014arXiv1412.1190C
- Keywords:
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- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 31 pages, 18 figures, ASTRO-H White Paper