First results from the OGRESS sounding rocket payload

T. Rogers, T. Schultz, J. McCoy, D. Miles, J. Tutt, R. McEntaffer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present the first results from the Off-plane Grating Rocket for Extended Source Spectroscopy (OGRESS) sounding rocket payload based at the University of Iowa. OGRESS is designed to perform moderate resolution (R∼10-40) spectroscopy of diffuse celestial x-ray sources between 0.3 - 1.2 keV. A wire grid focuser constrains light from diffuse sources into a converging beam that feeds an array of off-plane diffraction gratings. The spectrum is focused onto Gaseous Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors. OGRESS launched on the morning of May 2, 2015 and collected data for ∼5 minutes before returning via parachute. OGRESS observed the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant with the goal of obtaining the most accurate physical diagnostics thus far recorded. During the flight, OGRESS had an unexpectedly high count rate which manifested as a highly uniform signal across the active area of the detector, swamping the expected spectrum from Cygnus. Efforts are still in progress to identify the source of this uniform signal and to discover if a usable spectrum can be extracted from the raw flight data.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XIX
EditorsOswald H. W. Siegmund, Oswald H. W. Siegmund
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781628417678, 9781628417678
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XIX - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 9 2015Aug 10 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9601
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XIX
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/9/158/10/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'First results from the OGRESS sounding rocket payload'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this