On the possibility of investigating the galactic center region with the integral observatory by the method of lunar and terrestrial occultations

Abstract

The possibility of investigating the sky region near the Galactic center with instruments of the INTEGRAL orbital astrophysical gamma-ray observatory by the method of its occultation by the Earth and the Moon is considered. Existing engineering constraints on the observing conditions, such as the admissible orientation of the INTEGRAL satellite relative to the direction to the Sun and the performance of measurements only outside the Earth’s radiation belts, are taken into account. Long time intervals during which the lunar occultation center passes at angular distances of less than 2° from the Galactic center have been found. Such events occur under the adopted constraints two or three times per year without any correction of the INTEGRAL satellite orbit. The orbit can be corrected to reduce the angular distance between the Moon and the Galactic center in occultation events. The required velocity impulses do not exceed several meters per second. The possibility of the Galactic center being occulted by the Earth has been analyzed. In this case, to perform measurements, the admissible (in radiation exposure) height of the working segment of the orbit should be reduced to 25 000 km, which can be problematic. At the same time, part of the Galaxy’s equatorial region is shadowed by the Earth for a time long enough to carry out the corresponding experiments.