Testing of EUSO-SPB2 Telescopes Using a One-Meter Diameter Parallel Optical Beam

* SECOND PLACE BEST IN SHOW *

PROJECT NUMBER: 87

AUTHOR: Julianna Desiato, Physics | MENTOR: Lawrence Wiencke, Physics

ABSTRACT

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The NASA-sponsored second generation Extreme Universe Space Observatory on a Super Pressure Balloon (EUSO-SPB2) will be the first balloon instrument to measure Cherenkov and fluorescence light patterns generated by high-energy cosmic-ray particles interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere. EUSO-SPB2 is a prototype for the Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) which has completed a conceptual design. POEMMA is designed to identify sources of the highest-energy particles in the universe and discover neutrino emission above 20 PeV. EUSO-SPB2 should launch in 2022 from Wanaka, NZ for a mission with lasting up to 100 days. Prior to launch, the telescopes will require extensive ground testing to characterize their performance. The telescopes use modified Schmitt optics with a one-meter entrance pupil and specialized cameras at the focus. Of particular importance is the point spread function of the focused light. Our team is creating a one-meter diameter optical test beam system that will illuminate the aperture of our telescopes with parallel light in both horizontal and vertical orientations within prescribed height restrictions. This allows us to test the functionality of the optical systems of both telescopes by simulating the one-meter diameter entrance pupil and allow us to replicate and directly measure the telescope point spread function.

VISUAL PRESENTATION

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

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Julianna Desiato is a senior studying Engineering Physics. She has been working on the second generation Extreme Universe Space Observatory on a Super Pressure Balloon since May 2019. Her main contributions to the project have been pieces fabricated in the Physics Machine Shop for the One-Meter Diameter Parallel Optical Beam test system.

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