Telescope performance and image simulations of the balloon-borne coded-mask protoMIRAX experiment

Journal Article · Thu Dec 17 04:00:00 EST 2015 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4937181· OSTI ID:22494311

In this work we present the results of imaging simulations performed with the help of the GEANT4 package for the protoMIRAX hard X-ray balloon experiment. The instrumental background was simulated taking into account the various radiation components and their angular dependence, as well as a detailed mass model of the experiment. We modelled the meridian transits of the Crab Nebula and the Galactic Centre (CG) region during balloon flights in Brazil (∼ −23° of latitude and an altitude of ∼40 km) and introduced the correspondent spectra as inputs to the imaging simulations. We present images of the Crab and of three sources in the GC: 1E 1740.7-2942, GRS 1758-258 and GX 1+4. The results show that the protoMIRAX experiment is capable of making spectral and timing observations of bright hard X-ray sources as well as important imaging demonstrations that will contribute to the design of the MIRAX satellite mission.

• OSTI ID: 22494311
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1693; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALTITUDE
BALLOONS
BRAZIL
CRAB NEBULA
HARD X RADIATION
IMAGES
PERFORMANCE
SATELLITES
SIMULATION
SPECTRA
TELESCOPES