Lunar ultraviolet cosmic imager (LUCI)- near UV astronomical observations from the Lunar surface
Abstract
Observations from the Moon provide a unique opportunity to observe the sky from a stable platform far above the Earth atmosphere. This is especially relevant in the ultraviolet (UV) field. Hence we have explored the prospects for UV observations from the lunar surface, mainly the feasibility, scientific outcomes and possible configuration of UV telescopes. To realize this, we have been in collaboration with TeamIndus, (an entry to the Google Lunar X prize competition), to put a UV telescope (LUCI-Lunar Ultraviolet Cosmic Imager) on the Moon as a piggyback payload. LUCI is an all spherical near UV (passband:200 -300 nm) telescope with a field of view of 0.46° x 0.34°. LUCI will be mounted on the lunar lander as a transit telescope and will perform a survey of the available sky from the surface of the Moon. It has potential capability of delivering unique science - perform a survey of the available sky in the NUV domain from the surface of the Moon, with the aim to detect bright UV transients such as SNe, novae, TDE etc. The instrument has been assembled in the class 1000 clean room at the M.G.K Menon Laboratory for Space Sciences and is awaiting various environmental tests. Here we will describe the various science cases of LUCI and will also cover the design and development of the instrument. We will also briefly explain the assembly, integration, and calibration of LUCI.
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E2202M