200 most important Astronomy topics - Sykalo Eugen 2023


The WFIRST Science Requirements Document

The Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) is one of the most anticipated space observatories currently under development by NASA. The telescope is set to launch in the mid-2020s and will be the agency's flagship mission for astrophysics.

The WFIRST telescope is expected to achieve a field of view that is 100 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing it to observe a vast area of the sky in a single shot. The observatory is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instruments that will enable it to study a wide range of celestial objects and phenomena in a variety of wavelengths.

To ensure that the WFIRST mission achieves its scientific goals, NASA has developed a Science Requirements Document (SRD). The SRD outlines the scientific objectives of the WFIRST mission and the specific requirements needed to meet those objectives.

Scientific Objectives

The WFIRST mission has three primary scientific objectives:

  1. Dark Energy - To study the acceleration of the expansion of the universe and the properties of dark energy responsible for it.
  2. Exoplanets - To study the properties and demographics of exoplanets and their host stars.
  3. Astrophysics - To conduct a wide range of astrophysical studies, including the study of galaxies, supernovae, and black holes.

The WFIRST telescope is equipped with various scientific instruments that will help it achieve these objectives.

Requirements

To achieve the scientific objectives of the WFIRST mission, the SRD outlines specific requirements for the observatory's scientific instruments and capabilities. These requirements include:

Wide Field Instrument

The WFIRST will be equipped with a Wide Field Instrument (WFI) that can observe a large area of the sky with high sensitivity and resolution. The WFI will have a field of view that is 100 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope and will be capable of observing in both visible and infrared light.

The WFI is a vital instrument for the WFIRST mission as it will enable the observatory to conduct large-scale surveys of the sky in a variety of wavelengths. The WFI will also be used to study the properties of galaxies, supernovae, and black holes.

Coronagraph

The WFIRST telescope will feature a coronagraph, a device that blocks out the light from a star, allowing the observatory to observe the faint light from any planets orbiting that star. The coronagraph will be able to observe planets as small as the Earth and will be capable of detecting biosignatures - chemicals in the planet's atmosphere that could indicate the presence of life.

The coronagraph is a significant addition to the WFIRST telescope as it will enable scientists to study exoplanets in unprecedented detail. The WFIRST telescope will be capable of detecting and studying exoplanets that are too faint to be observed by other telescopes.

Spectroscopy

The WFIRST telescope will also be equipped with a spectrograph that can measure the characteristics of light emitted by celestial objects. Spectroscopy is an essential tool for studying the properties of stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects.

The spectrograph is a crucial instrument for the WFIRST mission as it will enable scientists to study the chemical composition of stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects. The WFIRST telescope will be able to study the properties of galaxies and black holes in unprecedented detail.

Survey Area

To achieve its scientific objectives, the WFIRST must observe a large area of the sky. The SRD requires that the WFIRST observes a minimum of 2,200 square degrees of the sky - an area that is more than 100 times larger than the area of the full moon.

The large survey area is critical for the WFIRST mission as it will enable scientists to study a wide range of celestial objects and phenomena. The WFIRST telescope will be able to study the properties of galaxies, black holes, and exoplanets in unprecedented detail.

Survey Duration

The WFIRST must observe the sky for a minimum of six years to achieve its scientific objectives. This extended duration will allow the observatory to observe enough celestial objects to make statistically significant observations.

The extended survey duration is a crucial requirement for the WFIRST mission as it will enable scientists to study a wide range of celestial objects and phenomena over an extended period. The WFIRST telescope will be able to study the evolution of galaxies, the properties of black holes, and the demographics of exoplanets over an extended period.