The MAXI mission on the International Space Station

Hiroshi Tomida; Masaru Matsuoka; Shiro Ueno; Ken'ichi Torii; Mutsumi Sugizaki; Wei Ming Yuan; Shigenori Komatsu; Yuji Shirasaki; Nobuyuki Kawai; Atsumasa Yoshida; Tatehiro Mihara; Ikuya Sakurai; Hitoshi Negoro; Hiroshi Tsunemi; Emi Miyata; Makoto Yamauchi; Isao Tanaka

doi:10.1117/12.391552

18 July 2000 The MAXI mission on the International Space Station

Hiroshi Tomida, Masaru Matsuoka, Shiro Ueno, Ken'ichi Torii, Mutsumi Sugizaki, Wei Ming Yuan, Shigenori Komatsu, Yuji Shirasaki, Nobuyuki Kawai, Atsumasa Yoshida, Tatehiro Mihara, Ikuya Sakurai, Hitoshi Negoro, Hiroshi Tsunemi, Emi Miyata, Makoto Yamauchi, Isao Tanaka

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4012, X-Ray Optics, Instruments, and Missions III; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391552
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) is the first astrophysical payload which will be mounted on the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility of International Space Station in 2004. It is designed for monitoring all-sky in the x-ray band by scanning with slat collimators and slit apertures. Its angular resolution and scanning period are approximately 1 arc degree and 90 minutes, respectively. MAXI employs two types of X-ray camera. One is Gas slit Camera (GSC), the detectors of which are 1D position sensitive proportional counters. Its position resolution is approximately 1.0 mm along carbon anode wires. GSC covers the 2.0 - 30 keV energy band. We have found an interesting feature in the energy response: monochromatic X-rays are detected with a peculiar hard tail in the spectra. The physical mechanism causing the hard tail is still unclear. The other camera is Solid-state Slit Camera (SSC). We employ a pair of SSCs, each of which consists of sixteen CCD chips. Each CCD has 1024 X 1024 pixels, and each pixel is 24 X 24 micrometers. The CCDs are to be operated at -60 degree using Peltier coolers. SSC covers an energy range of 0.5 - 10.0 keV. The test counters and test chips are evaluated in NASDA, Riken, and Osaka-University. The continuous Ethernet down link will enable us to alert the astronomers in all over the world to the appearance of X-ray transients, novae, bursts, flares etc. In this paper we will report on the current status of the MAXI mission.

Citation Download Citation

Hiroshi Tomida, Masaru Matsuoka, Shiro Ueno, Ken'ichi Torii, Mutsumi Sugizaki, Wei Ming Yuan, Shigenori Komatsu, Yuji Shirasaki, Nobuyuki Kawai, Atsumasa Yoshida, Tatehiro Mihara, Ikuya Sakurai, Hitoshi Negoro, Hiroshi Tsunemi, Emi Miyata, Makoto Yamauchi, and Isao Tanaka "The MAXI mission on the International Space Station", Proc. SPIE 4012, X-Ray Optics, Instruments, and Missions III, (18 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391552

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available