Wide Field X-ray Telescope (WFXT)
Abstract
The Wide Field X-ray Telescope is the latest in a series of mission concepts to carry out a large area X-ray survey with sensitivity orders of magnitude fainter than the ROSAT All Sky Survey, and with angular resolution of 5 arcsec over the entire survey area. The science that can be addressed by such a mission and the technical readiness are discussed. The conclusion is that WFXT addresses many of the science issues raised in the 2010 New World New Horizons decadal survey and is well matched to the next generation of optical, IR and radio surveys currently being planned. The technologies needed for WFXT have all been demonstrated, and only the mirrors have a technical readiness level (TRL) that is less than 6. Three independent cost estimates for this mission, covering life-cycle costs, launch services and a GO program are below \$1B (FY12), and suggest that the mission concept is mature and ready for implementation.
- Publication:
-
Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana
- Pub Date:
- 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013MmSAI..84..790M
- Keywords:
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- X-ray Astronomy