甚大面积伽马射线空间望远镜计划

Very Large Area Gamma-ray Space Telescope (VLAST)

高能伽马射线探测是研究极端天体物理的主要途径之一.空间高能伽马射线探测具有覆盖波段宽、时间连续性好、能量分辨率高等突出优势.在成功研发并运行我国首颗天文卫星—"悟空"号(DArk Matter Particle Explorer,DAMPE)的基础上,紫金山天文台联合国内的多家单位提议研制甚大面积伽马射线空间望远镜(Very Large Areagamma-ray Space Telescope,VLAST),该望远镜在GeV-TeV能段接受度高达10 m^(2)·sr,并具有强的MeV-GeV波段探测能力,其综合性能预期比费米卫星的大面积伽马望远镜(Fermi-LAT(Large Area Telescope))提升10倍之上.重点介绍了VLAST的主要科学目标,探测器的初步配置及预期性能指标.

High energy gamma-rays carry the fundamental information of the astrophysical sources in extreme conditions.The space detection of gamma-rays is distinguished by the wide energy range,the observation continuity as well as the high energy resolution.With the experience in constructing and running the DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE),we propose a new satellite mission—Very Large Area gamma-ray Space Telescope(VLAST).VLAST has an acceptance of~10 m^(2)
sr at GeV energies and~1 m^(2)
sr at MeV energies.Together with a much better energy resolution,VLAST is expected to increase the sensitivity of Fermi Large Area Telescope by a factor of 10.In this work,the main scientific objectives,the detection principle,the payload and the expected performance of VLAST are introduced.