The Origins Space Telescope: baseline concept overview

David T. Leisawitz

doi:10.1117/12.2559869

13 December 2020 The Origins Space Telescope: baseline concept overview

David T. Leisawitz

Proceedings Volume 11443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2020: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 114432C (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559869
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

The Origins Space Telescope will trace the history of our origins from the time dust and heavy elements permanently altered the cosmic landscape to present-day life. How did galaxies evolve from the earliest galactic systems to those found in the universe today? How do habitable planets form? How common are life-bearing worlds? To answer these alluring questions, Origins will operate at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths and offer powerful spectroscopic instruments and sensitivity three orders of magnitude better than that of Herschel, the largest telescope flown in space to date. Origins was designed to minimize complexity and provide natural background-limited sensitivity. The telescope is 5.9 m in diameter. The telescope and its three scientific instruments are cryocooled to 4.5 K. The instruments collectively cover wavelengths from 2.8 to 590 microns. Origins will make targeted observations and conduct wide-area surveys in a variety of spectroscopic and broadband imaging modes.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

David T. Leisawitz "The Origins Space Telescope: baseline concept overview", Proc. SPIE 11443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2020: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 114432C (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559869

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