POET: Polarimeters for Energetic Transients

Authors

J. E. Hill, Universities Space Research Association, CRESST and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
M. L. McConnell, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
P. Bloser, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
J. Legere, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
J. Macri, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
J. Ryan, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
S. Barthelmy, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
L. Angelini, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
T. Sakamoto, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
J K. Black, Rock Creek Scientific
Dieter H. Hartmann, Clemson UniversityFollow
P Kaaret, University of Iowa
B Zhang, University of Nevada
K Ioka, Kyoto University
T Nakamura, Kyoto University
K Toma, Kyoto University
R Yamazaki, Hiroshima University
X Wu, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 10-14-2008

Publication Title

AIP Conference Proceedings

Abstract

POET (Polarimeters for Energetic Transients) is a Small Explorer mission concept proposed to NASA in January 2008. The principal scientific goal of POET is to measure GRB polarization between 2 and 500 keV. The payload consists of two wide FoV instruments: a Low Energy Polarimeter (LEP) capable of polarization measurements in the energy range from 2-15 keV and a high energy polarimeter (Gamma-Ray Polarimeter Experiment – GRAPE) that will measure polarization in the 60-500 keV energy range. Spectra will be measured from 2 keV up to 1 MeV. The POET spacecraft provides a zenith-pointed platform for maximizing the exposure to deep space. Spacecraft rotation will provide a means of effectively dealing with systematics in the polarization response. POET will provide sufficient sensitivity and sky coverage to measure statistically significant polarization for up to 100 GRBs in a two-year mission. Polarization data will also be obtained for solar flares, pulsars and other sources of astronomical interest.

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