Nautilus Observatory: a space telescope array based on very large aperture ultralight diffractive optical elements

Dániel Apai; Tom D. Milster; Dae Wook Kim; Alex Bixel; Glenn Schneider; Benjamin V. Rackham; Rongguang Liang; Jonathan Arenberg

doi:10.1117/12.2529428

9 September 2019 Nautilus Observatory: a space telescope array based on very large aperture ultralight diffractive optical elements

Dániel Apai, Tom D. Milster, Dae Wook Kim, Alex Bixel, Glenn Schneider, Benjamin V. Rackham, Rongguang Liang, Jonathan Arenberg

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11116, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems II; 1111608 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529428
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2019, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We describe a novel space observatory concept that is enabled by very large (8.5m-diameter), ultralight-weight multi-order diffractive lenses that can be cost-effectively replicated. The observatory utilizes an array of identical telescopes with a total combined light collecting area equivalent to that of a 50m-diameter telescope. Here we review the capabilities of a Nautilus unit telescope, the observatory concept, and the technology readiness of the key components. The Nautilus Observatory is capable of surveying a thousand transiting exo-earth candidates to 300 pc for biosignatures, enabling a rigorous statistical exploration of potentially life-bearing planets and the diversity of exo-earths.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Dániel Apai, Tom D. Milster, Dae Wook Kim, Alex Bixel, Glenn Schneider, Benjamin V. Rackham, Rongguang Liang, and Jonathan Arenberg "Nautilus Observatory: a space telescope array based on very large aperture ultralight diffractive optical elements", Proc. SPIE 11116, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems II, 1111608 (9 September 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529428

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