Paper 13093-6
Paper 13093-6
INFUSE: inflight performance and future improvements for the first FUV integral field spectrograph to study the influence of massive stars on galaxies
16 June 2024 • 10:30 - 10:50 Japan Standard Time | Room G414/415, North - 4F
Abstract
The Integral Field Ultraviolet Spectrographic Experiment (INFUSE) sounding rocket is the first far-ultraviolet integral field spectrometer. The first launch of INFUSE occurred from White Sands Missile Range on October 29th, 2023, and demonstrated spectral multiplexing, successfully detecting ionized gas emission in the XA region of the Cygnus loop. The second launch of INFUSE is projected for spring 2025 to observe the star-forming galaxy NGC 2366 alongside companion NGC 2363. Several enhancements are planned for INFUSE before this second science flight, including adding an improved baffle to reduce contamination by second order light and treating several surfaces to reduce scattered geocoronal Lyman alpha. An additional grating will also be added to flight-qualify a new coating of Xenon enhanced Lithium Fluoride. We report on the flight results from the first launch as well as outline progress towards preparation for the second flight.
Presenter
Alex Haughton
Univ. of Colorado Boulder (United States)
Alex Haughton is a graduate student with the Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Department at University of Colorado, Boulder. He worked with Dr. Emily Witt on the INFUSE I launch and is leading the INFUSE II launch. He has a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and a masters degree in physics, and worked with Cobham Aerospace and the South Pole Telescope Group before coming to University of Colorado.