Search results for "Pathfinder"
showing 10 items of 14 documents
Timing techniques applied to distributed modular high-energy astronomy: the H.E.R.M.E.S. project
2021
The HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites -- Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder) is an in-orbit demonstration of the so-called distributed astronomy concept. Conceived as a mini-constellation of six 3U nano-satellites hosting a new miniaturized detector, HERMES-TP/SP aims at the detection and accurate localisation of bright high-energy transients such as Gamma-Ray Bursts. The large energy band, the excellent temporal resolution and the wide field of view that characterize the detectors of the constellation represent the key features for the next generation high-energy all-sky monitor with good localisation capabilities that will play a pivotal role in the future …
The HERMES-Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder
2020
HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder) is a constellation of six 3U nano-satellites hosting simple but innovative X-ray detectors, characterized by a large energy band and excellent temporal resolution, and thus optimized for the monitoring of Cosmic High Energy transients such as Gamma Ray Bursts and the electromagnetic counterparts of Gravitational Wave Events, and for the determination of their positions. The projects are funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and by the Italian Space Agency, and by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreement No. 821896. HERMES-TP/S…
From Extensity to Protensity in CAS: Adding Sounds to Icons
2009
Being aware of the gap between technological offers and user expectations, the paper aims to illustrate the necessity of anthropocentric designs ("user-pulled") and to reveal the dangers of current ICT designs ("technology-pushed"). Since the gap is deepened because of insufficient innovative use of new agent-oriented technology potential, an affordable manner to "invent new Computer-Aided x" application domains is proposed. To substantiate the approach, the domain must be challenging, easy to implement and "as humanist as possible": Computer-Aided Semiosis (CAS). On this background, the paper also presents a new and challenging concept in IT applied research, borrowed from psychology and m…
Multitemporal analysis of PAL images for the study of land cover dynamics in South America
2006
Pathfinder AVHHR Land (PAL) database has been used for the retrieval of Land Surface Temperature (LST) over South America, which, along with NDVI parameter, will allow the studying of the evolution of the vegetation between July 1981 and September 2001. To this end, a classification has been built, based on PAL NDVI and Reanalysis air temperature at 2 m height data. This classification takes into account both vegetation and thermal patterns, and has been validated by a comparison with CAZALAC's map of arid zones (Centro del Agua para Zonas Aridas y semiaridas de Latino-America y el Caribe), as well as with Global Land Cover Characteristics' classification built by the USGS (United States Ge…
Global vegetation monitoring through multitemporal analysis of pathfinder AVHRR land database
2005
We have applied a Land Surface Temperature algorithm to the whole Pathfinder AVHRR Land (PAL) database, aiming at studying the evolution of the vegetation at a global scale. The Land Surface Temperature parameter, along with NDVI, will allow retrieving vegetation changes between July 1981 and September 2001. We have also built a classification which takes into account both vegetation variations and thermal patterns, from NDVI and Air Temperature at 2 meters height data. This classification allows differentiating areas which present close vegetation changes throughout the year, but totally different climates, as for example in mountainous and semiarid regions. The main quality of this classi…
In-Situ Calibration of UFFO/Lomonosov for Observation of GRBs
2017
The UFFO/Lomonosov has been successfully launched into Sun synchronous orbit and is operational through tests and calibrations since its launch on Apr. 28, 2016. As a pathfinder of UFFO, it will be the first space instrument to use a fast slewing mirror which reduce the trigger latency of optical telescope, less than a second, to explore early time domain of GRB evolution. In this article, we will report in detail the first mission, UFFO/Lomonosov, for the rapid response to observe early photons from GRBs in orbit.
Slewing Mirror Telescope and the Data-Acquisition System for the UFFO-Pathfinder
2013
The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) aims to detect the earliest moment of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) which is not well known, resulting into the enhancement of GRB mechanism understanding. The pathfinder mission was proposed to be a scaled-down version of UFFO, and only contains the UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope (UBAT) measuring the X-ray/gamma-ray with the wide-field of view and the Slewing Mirror Telescope (SMT) with a rapid-response for the UV/optical photons. Once the UBAT detects a GRB candidate with the position accuracy of 10 arcmin, the SMT steers the UV/optical photons from the candidate to the telescope by the fast rotatable mirror and provides the early UV/optical pho…
The Ultra Fast Flash Observatory pathfinder – UFFO-p GRB imaging and location with its coded mask X-ray imager UBAT
2013
The UFFO pathfinder mission will attempt to locate the optical afterglow of a GRB within seconds of its detection and location by a wide field X-ray imager. It will be mounted on the Lomonosov spacecraft for launch in 2013 and consists of a coded mask X-ray imager UBAT to detect a GRB and estimate a direction vector which will be passed to the SMT optical system which will rotate a moveable mirror to lock onto the GRB and direct the optical afterglow to a camera with a ~17′ wide aperture. We present the design geometry of the UBAT instrument only, with results of simulations for a range of GRB types to show probable photon integration times to be expected to extract a significant FOV image…
In-Flight Calibrations of UFFO-Pathfinder
2013
The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO), which will be launched onboard the Lomonosov spacecraft, contains two crucial instruments: UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope (UBAT) for detection and localization of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and the fast-response Slewing Mirror Telescope (SMT) designed for the observation of the prompt optical/UV counterparts. Here we discuss the in-space calibrations of the UBAT detector and SMT telescope. After the launch, the observations of the standard X-ray sources such as pulsar in Crab nebula will provide data for necessary calibrations of UBAT. Several standard stars will be used for the photometric calibration of SMT. The celestial X-ray sources, e.g.…
The Status of the Ultra Fast Flash Observatory - Pathfinder
2012
On behalf of the UFFO Collaboration; International audience; The Ultra Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) is a project to study early optical emissions from Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). The primary scientific goal of UFFO is to see if GRBs can be calibrated with their rising times, so that they could be used as new standard candles. In order to minimize delay in optical follow-up measurements, which is now about 100 sec after trigger from the Swift experiment, we rotate a mirror to redirect light path so that optical measurement can be performed within a second after the trigger. We have developed a pathfinder mission, UFFO-pathfinder to launch on board the Lomonosov satellite in 2012. In this talk,…