The On-Orbit Performance of the Galaxy Evolution Explorer
Abstract
We report the first year's on-orbit performance results for the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), a NASA Small Explorer that is performing a survey of the sky in two ultraviolet bands. The instrument comprises a 50 cm diameter modified Ritchey-Chrétien telescope with a 1.25d field of view, selectable imaging and objective-grism spectroscopic modes, and an innovative optical system with a thin-film multilayer dichroic beam splitter that enables simultaneous imaging by a pair of photon-counting, microchannel-plate, delay-line readout detectors. Initial measurements demonstrate that GALEX is performing well, meeting its requirements for resolution, efficiency, astrometry, bandpass definition, and survey sensitivity.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- January 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1086/424734
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0411310
- Bibcode:
- 2005ApJ...619L...7M
- Keywords:
-
- Space Vehicles: Instruments;
- Surveys;
- Telescopes;
- Ultraviolet: General;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- This paper will be published as part of the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) Astrophysical Journal Letters Special Issue