Scientifc perspective of MAXI, an all-sky X-ray monitor on the ISS
Abstract
MAXI (Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image) is a Japanese X-ray all-sky monitor mission to be deployed on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2009. MAXI will scan almost all the sky every 90 minutes in the 0.5-30 keV band with two narrow fan-beamed (1.5 deg x 160 deg) fields of view. By integrating MAXI's scans, we will produce a weekly all-sky X-ray map with a milli-Crab sensitivity. We are planning to deliver X-ray transient alerts on various time scales to the world astronomy community to trigger follow-up observations in other wavebands. The light curves of 1000 pre-selected sources will be regularly published on the web to contribute to the multiwavelength studies of transient high-energy sources including accreting binaries and AGN. We will discuss the expected performance and scientific goals of MAXI based on simulations, and the plans for the data distribution.
- Publication:
-
37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008cosp...37.1473K