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arXiv · 0901.0709

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Future of Ultraviolet Astronomy

J. Michael Shull
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Abstract

I describe the capabilities of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, scheduled for May 2009 installation on the Hubble Space Telescope. With a factor-of-ten increase in far-UV throughput for moderate resolution spectroscopy, COS will enable a range of scientific programs that study hot stars, AGN, and gas in the interstellar medium, intergalactic medium, and galactic halos. We also plan a large-scale HST Spectroscopic Legacy Project for QSO absorption lines, galactic halos, and AGN outflows. Studies of next-generation telescopes for UV/O astronomy are now underway, including small, medium, and large missions to fill the imminent ten-year gap between the end of Hubble and a plausible launch of the next large mission. Selecting a strategy for achieving these goals will involve hard choices and tradeoffs in aperture, wavelength, and capability.

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J. Michael Shull. 2009-01-06. The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Future of Ultraviolet Astronomy. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3154069

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