HST10X: the installation mission

James H. Crocker; Donald A. Dufford

doi:10.1117/12.394021

28 July 2000 HST10X: the installation mission

James H. Crocker, Donald A. Dufford

Proceedings Volume 4013, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.394021
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The Space Sciences of Astronomy, Astro-Physics, and Astro- Biology could be advanced by ten years, perhaps more, if a faster, cheaper, better way than an entirely new spacecraft could be found to implement an 8-meter class observatory in space. Why 8 meters? Recent science results such as the Hubble Deep Field and other observations from the very large ground-based observatories suggest that to achieve the two prominent Space-Science goals of establishing the era of initial galaxy formation, and imaging and spectroscopy of Earth-like planets requires at least two magnitudes deeper imaging and a factor of six better resolution than anything now in existence or planned for UV/Optical wavelengths. The UVOWG Final Report lists agonizing details of critical science objectives toward these goals, agonizing because we cannot achieve them from the ground even with the four 8- meter mirrors of the VLTI. An 8-meter class space telescope will provide about 2.5 magnitudes deeper imaging and a factor of 6.5 better spatial resolution than the best we have now, HST. This paper describes a feasibility study for augmenting HST with 8-meter class optics. The results are very interesting, and surprising.

Citation Download Citation

James H. Crocker and Donald A. Dufford "HST10X: the installation mission", Proc. SPIE 4013, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments, (28 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.394021

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