TAUVEX - An Ultraviolet Imager on the Indian GSAT-4 Satellite

Abstract

The TAUVEX instrument consists of three imagers operating in several bands in the mid to near UV. We have proposed to fly TAUVEX as a secondary payload on the GSAT-4 mission to be launched in late 2004 and this proposal is currently under consideration by ISRO. The TAUVEX mission will consist of a series of scans over 1 degree wide bands in the sky which we will build up into a survey of the ultraviolet sky. The limiting magnitude in each of the three colours will be on the order of 19. We hope to make the data available to the Indian astronomical community soon after launch.