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Balloon-based observations of stellar occultations

This article discusses the use of balloon-based observations to study stellar occultations, where planets pass in front of stars. It explores the scientific insights gained from this technique, such as determining sizes of asteroids and airless bodies, discovering and understanding ring systems, and characterizing planetary atmospheres. The feasibility, advantages, and challenges of deploying balloons from airplanes for these observations are also examined.

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Balloon-based observations of stellar occultations

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  1. Balloon-based observations of stellar occultations Cathy Olkin Southwest Research Institute April 27, 2007

  2. What is a stellar occultation? A stellar occultation is a planet passing in front of a star. This star light probes the planet’s atmosphere or ring system at a higher spatial resolution than available any other ways near Earth observations.

  3. What science can be derived from this technique? -Sizes of asteroids or other airless bodies. KBOs in the future. -Discovery and kinematic models of ring systems • Discovery of the rings around Uranus • Improved kinematic models of ring systems HST FOC stellar occultation light curveof Saturn’s rings (Bosh, Olkin, French, Nicholson 2003)

  4. What science can be derived from this technique? -Sizes of asteroids or other airless bodies - Discovery and kinematic understanding of ring systems - Discovery and characterization of planetary atmospheres R (km) v. dT/dr(K/km) R (km) v. T (K) dry adiabat

  5. An example of howwe do this now • We choose events with shadow paths goes over arid locations - severely limits possible events • Accurate, timely prediction critical for for success Pluto June 12, 2006

  6. An example of howwe do this now, cont. • Expensive to cover all these sites and ship portable telescopes. Pluto June 12, 2006

  7. Predicted occultations • More than half the events happen during daylight • More than half the events happen over the ocean or otherwise not amenable locations

  8. Other ways to make this measurement • Advantages -mobile -above most weather • Disadvantages -KAO de-commissioned -awaiting SOFIA -SOFIA will be a heavily desired resource - does not give multiple chords

  9. Our idea Deploy balloons out of an airplane traveling perpendicular across the shadow path

  10. Advantages • Nearly global access • Day and night events possible • Depends on background level • Multiple chords • Above clouds • Good seeing

  11. Questions? • What is the background level at wavelengths of 8000 Angstroms at both day and night at ballooning altitude • Impacts telescope aperture; payload weight; expense • Stability and telescope pointing • Feasibility of deploying from airplanes • Communications/Operations of multiple balloons • Cost per unit • Balloon • Instrumentation/Telescope • Campaign costs

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