Radio-Continuum study of the Nearby Sculptor Group Galaxies. Part 1: NGC 300 at lambda = 20 cm

A series of new radio-continuum (lambda=20 cm) mosaic images focused on the NGC 300 galactic system were produced using archived observational data from the VLA and/or ATCA. These new images are both very sensitive (rms=60 microJy) and feature high angular resolution (<10"). The most prominent new feature is the galaxy's extended radio-continuum emission, which does not match its optical appearance. Using these newly created images a number of previously unidentified discrete sources have been discovered. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a joint deconvolution approach to imaging this complete data-set is inferior when compared to an immerge approach.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted to APSS, new version to correct the missing reference

The Cosmic X-Ray Background NanoSat (CXBN): An Improved Measurement of the Diffuse X-Ray Background

The goal of this mission is to significantly increase the precision of measurements of the Cosmic X-Ray Background in the 30-50 keV range, thereby constraining models that attempt to explain the relative contribution of proposed sources lending insight into the underlying physics of the early universe. The mission addresses a fundamental science question that is clearly central to our understanding of the structure, origin, and evolution of the universe by potentially lending insight into both the high energy background radiation and into the evolution of primordial galaxies. CXBN will map the Extragalactic Diffuse X-Ray Background (DXB) with a new breed of Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detector. The DXB is a powerful tool for understanding the early universe and provides a window to the most energetic objects in the distant universe. Although studied previously, existing measurements disagree by about 20%. With the novel CZT detector aboard the CXBN, a new, high precision measurement is possible. In ~1 year of operation the experiment will have collected 3 million seconds of good data, reaching a broadband S/N ~250. The science mission requirements fortunately allow for the design of a relatively simple spacecraft, making this mission ideal for the CubeSat form factor. Additionally, because of their low cost and short development time, cubesats represent an ideal learning opportunity for students, particularly at the undergraduate level. The CXBN mission has been awarded a flight opportunity by the NASA Educational Launch of a Nanosatellite (ELaNa) program and is scheduled for launch in July 2012. The satellite is currently under development, and is primarily constructed and tested by undergraduate students who also participate intimately in the design of its systems

The Cosmic X-Ray Background NanoSat (CXBN): Measuring the Cosmic X-Ray Background using the CubeSat Form Factor

The CXBN mission goal is to significantly increase the Cosmic X-Ray Background measurement precision in the 30-50 keV range. The mission addresses a fundamental science question central to our understanding of the structure, origin, and evolution of the universe by potentially lending insight into the high energy background radiation. The CXBN spacecraft will map the Extragalactic Diffuse X-Ray Background (DXRB) with a new Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detector. The DXRB measurement will pose a powerful tool for understanding the early universe and a window to the far-away universe. The science objectives were condensed into a novel spacecraft concept characterized by a sun-pointing, spinning spacecraft in LEO with moderate inclination. Launch trajectories allow four nominal passes per day over the primary Earth station at Morehead State University (Morehead, KY). The science mission requirements fortunately allow adoption of the economical CubeSat form factor. The major subsystems comprising the satellite are new —having been developed by the team. Innovative systems include power distribution, command and data handling, and attitude determination and control systems. The launch is scheduled for August 2012 from Vandenberg AFB through the NASA ELaNa program. CXBN was developed at low cost and on a highly constrained 12 month timeline