Paper 13093-136
Paper 13093-136
The optical design of the UVIa CubeSat: a multi-channel ultraviolet telescope for transient science
17 June 2024 • 17:30 - 19:00 Japan Standard Time | Room G5, North - 1F
Abstract
Our current understanding of cosmology is largely shaped by Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), the detonations of carbon-oxygen white dwarves (WDs). SNe Ia are powerful standard candles due to their uniform peak luminosities which decay predictably. SNe Ia progenitor system architecture is highly debated, as none have been observed pre- and post-detonation. Within the first few days after detonation, critical progenitor signatures are preserved in the ultraviolet (UV) bandpass. We present the optical design of UVIa, a proposed 12U CubeSat capable of simultaneous measurements in the far-UV, near-UV, and u-band. Double-offset Cassegrain telescopes were designed to image onto CMOS detectors. We discuss the benefits and challenges associated with double-offset telescopes. UVIa additionally serves as a technology demonstration platform for several cutting-edge UV technologies. The optical design of UVIa enables early-time observations of SNe Ia and serves as a pathfinder for future UV transient telescopes.
Presenter
The Univ. of Iowa (United States)
Fernando Cruz Aguirre is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar shared between the Hoadley UV Space Lab and the DeRoo Research Group at the University of Iowa. Fernando received his Ph.D. in Astrophysical and Planetary Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where his thesis focused on the FUV radiation environments of main sequence exoplanet host stars. Fernando served as the lead graduate student for the second flight of the SISTINE sounding rocket, a broadband FUV imaging spectrograph. With a growing interest in mission design, Fernando was selected to participate in the inaugural Astrophysics Mission Design School (AMDS) through NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he and 17 other students led the development of a mock UV Astrophysics Probe concept. In an effort to try new things, Fernando became a Co-Objective Lead on differentiating between Type Ia supernovae progenitor systems. His science and mission development experience is now being applied to the UVIa CubeSat.