Opportunities for Astrophysical Science from the Inner and Outer Solar System

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https://baas.aas.org/pub/2020n3i060/release/1

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http://hdl.handle.net/11603/24101

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UMBC Center for Space Sciences and Technology (CSST) / Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences & Technology II (CRSST II)
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8403-8548

Date

2019-05-31

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journal articles
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Citation of Original Publication

Zemcov, M., Arcavi, I., Arendt, R. G., Bachelet, E., Beichman, C., Bock, J., … Werner, M. (2019). Opportunities for Astrophysical Science from the Inner and Outer Solar System. Bulletin of the AAS, 51(3). Retrieved from https://baas.aas.org/pub/2020n3i060

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This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.

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Abstract

Astrophysical measurements away from the 1 AU orbit of Earth can enable several astrophysical science cases that are challenging or impossible to perform from Earthbound platforms, including: building a detailed understanding of the extragalactic background light throughout the electromagnetic spectrum; measurements of the properties of dust and ice in the inner and outer solar system; determinations of the mass of planets and stellar remnants far from luminous stars using gravitational microlensing; and stable time-domain astronomy. Though potentially transformative for astrophysics, opportunities to fly instrumentation capable of these measurements are rare, and a mission to the distant solar system that includes instrumentation expressly designed to perform astrophysical science, or even one primarily for a different purpose but capable of precise astronomical investigation, has not yet been flown. In this White Paper, we describe the science motivations for this kind of measurement, and advocate for future flight opportunities that permit intersectional collaboration and cooperation to make these science investigations a reality.