Melissa DeLucchi with Corbin Covault

Feasibility Simulations of and Improvements Upon the X-Ray Occulting Steerable Satellite

The X-rays emitted by high energy astrophysical systems can be used to create images of these sources, which help us to better understand the structure of our universe. Unfortunately, current X-Ray detection methods achieve relatively low angular resolution, as this aspect is often compromised in favor of collecting more photons. The best angular resolution is on the order of 500 milli-arcseconds, worse by a factor of 100 than the fundamental constraint from diffraction, 3 milli-arcseconds. The purpose of the X-Ray Occulting Steerable Satellite (XOSS) project is to explore a method that could greatly increase the resolution of images taken of astronomical objects, utilizing existing X-ray detection technologies. The method employed by XOSS involves passing a coded mask between the X-ray source and the detector. The mask consists of a sheet of lead with a pattern of apertures that would allow photons to only pass through certain areas of the mask during a certain time period. Using coded aperture imaging allows for a more accurate image of the sky as the mask passes the detector. From this information, we can acquire a more accurate calculation of intensity and position of such sources, to the end of improved X-ray imaging.