Development of 6U spectrograph payload for NUV studies

Abstract

One of the most exciting parts of the astrophysical spectrum is the near ultraviolet (NUV: 1800 – 3000Å), where there are a number of important atomic and molecular lines. The hot gas in the halo emits in NUV and also shocked regions of the interstellar medium (ISM) most notably supernova remnants (SNR). We will be building a spectrograph of 6U size to track emission lines over the entire spatial extent of a nebula which is the key to understanding its dynamics and evolution. The spectrograph has the unique combination of spectral and spatial resolution, sensitivity to investigate diffuse sources, and mission lifetime required to probe the physics of nebulae or the ISM. As the payload orbits the earth the resulting survey using the spectrograph will create a map of the sky covered within the field of view (FOV) of the payload constrained by the orbital inclination of the spacecraft. The payload will contain optics for the NUV spectrograph, an MCP based detector, FPGA based readout circuitry and other required electronics components