Astrophysics with New Horizons: Making the Most of a Generational Opportunity
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Date
2018-09-28
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Citation of Original Publication
Zemcov, Michael et al. Astrophysics with New Horizons: Making the Most of a Generational Opportunity.Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 130 (Sept 28, 2018) 993. https://doi.org/10.1088/1538-3873/aadb77
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This is the version of the article before peer review or editing, as submitted by an author to Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/1538-3873/aadb77
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Abstract
The outer solar system provides a unique, quiet vantage point from which to observe the universe
around us, where measurements could enable several niche astrophysical science cases that are too
di cult to perform near Earth. NASA's New Horizons mission comprises an instrument package
that provides imaging capability from UV to near-IR wavelengths with moderate spectral resolution
located beyond the orbit of Pluto. A carefully designed survey with New Horizons can optimize the
use of expendable propellant and the limited data telemetry bandwidth to allow several measurements,
including a detailed understanding of the cosmic extragalactic background light, studies of the local
and extragalactic UV background, measurements of the properties of dust and ice in the outer solar
system, con rmation and characterization of transiting exoplanets, determinations of the mass of dark
objects using gravitational microlensing, and rapid follow-up of transient events. New Horizons is
currently in an extended mission designed to focused on the Kuiper Belt that will conclude in 2021.
The astrophysics community has a unique, generational opportunity to use this mission for astronomical
observation at heliocentric distances beyond 50 AU in the next decade. In this paper, we discuss the
potential science cases for such an extended mission, and provide an initial assessment of the most
important operational requirements and observation strategies it would require. We conclude that New
Horizons is capable of transformative science, and that it would make a valuable and unique asset for
astrophysical science that is unlikely to be replicated in the near future.