Probing Sites of Extreme Astrophysics: the Science of ComPair
Abstract
Fundamental astrophysics questions ranging from characterizing the formation, structure, and properties of astrophysical jets and compact objects to explaining a large population of unidentified sources found by the Fermi Large Area Telescope can be addressed by a mission that opens a window into the MeV range. ComPair aims to provide excellent continuum sensitivity and good angular resolution over a wide field-of-view in the underexplored region from ~200 keV to ~ 500 MeV. This critical band contains the onset, peak, or fall of a rich variety of nonthermal processes occurring at sites of strong gravitational and magnetic fields. ComPair will answer existing questions about well established source classes, such as MeV blazars, young luminous pulsars, and gamma-ray bursts, which are known to peak in energy flux within this band, as well as being poised to discover new source types and behaviors that have previously been unobservable.
- Publication:
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AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #15
- Pub Date:
- April 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016HEAD...1511621H