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The edison infrared space observatory and the study of extra-solar planetary material

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Abstract

Edison is a proposed large-aperture, radiatively-cooled space observatory planned to operate at wavelengths between 2 and 130μm or longer. Current estimates for the telescope allow an aperture of 1.7 m which will achieve a final equilibrium temperature of about 30 K, although use of cryocoolers may permit temperatures below 20 K.Edison will be a powerful tool to investigate our Solar System, as well as planetary material around distant stars. At near- and mid-infrared wavelengths, where planetary material emits most of its radiation,Edison will be the most sensitive photometric and spectroscopic observatory under current consideration by the space agencies. With its large aperture,Edison will be able both to resolve the structure in nearby circumstellar “Vega disks” and to discriminate faint IR emission in the crowded environment of the galactic plane. With its long lifetime,Edison will allow extensive follow-up observations and increase the likelihood of catching transient events. We proposeEdison as a precursor to elements of a future space-based IR interferometer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wyoming Infrared Observatory and the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, UK

    H. A. Thronson Jr.

  2. Joint Astronomy Centre and the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, UK

    T. G. Hawarden

  3. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA

    J. Bally

  4. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, USA

    D. Rapp

  5. Southwest Research Institute, USA

    S. A. Stern

Authors
  1. H. A. Thronson Jr.
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  2. T. G. Hawarden
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  3. J. Bally
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  4. D. Rapp
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  5. S. A. Stern
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Thronson, H.A., Hawarden, T.G., Bally, J. et al. The edison infrared space observatory and the study of extra-solar planetary material. Astrophys Space Sci 212, 423–431 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984546

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984546

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