Abstract
Developed as a NASA Astrophysics Probe mission concept study, the Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) science goals are to identify the sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and to observe cosmic neutrinos above 20 PeV. POEMMA consists of two satellites flying in loose formation at 525 km altitudes. A novel focal plane design is optimized to observe the UV air fluorescence signal from extensive air showers (EASs) in a stereoscopic UHECR observation mode and the Cherenkov signals from EASs from UHECRs and neutrino-induced τ-leptons in an Earth-limb viewing mode. POEMMA is designed to achieve full-sky coverage and significantly higher sensitivity to the highest energy cosmic messengers compared to what have been achieved so far by ground-based experiments. POEMMA will measure the spectrum, composition, and full sky distribution of the UHECRs above 30 EeV to identify the most energetic cosmic accelerators in the universe and study the acceleration mechanism(s). POEMMA will also have sensitivity to cosmic neutrinos by observing the upward-moving air showers induced from tau neutrino interactions in the Earth. POEMMA will also be able to re-orient to a Target-of-Opportunity (ToO) neutrino mode to view transient astrophysical sources with unique sensitivity. This paper discusses the science goals, instrument design, mission profile, and the simulated UHECR and neutrino measurement capabilities for POEMMA.
Highlights
The Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) [1] is designed to use space-based observations of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and cosmic neutrinos to achieve significant increases in exposure for of these messengers of extreme astrophysical phenomena
POEMMA was developed as a NASA Astrophysics Probe mission concept study, and designed with the science goals are to identify the sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and to observe cosmic neutrinos above 20 PeV
Initial simulations employing monocular reconstruction, close to that anticipated when the POEMMA satellites are tilted towards the limb in neutrino mode, show poorer Xmax and angular resolution, but with ∼20% energy resolution and larger exposure for the highest energy UHECRs
Summary
The Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) [1] is designed to use space-based observations of UHECRs and cosmic neutrinos to achieve significant increases in exposure for of these messengers of extreme astrophysical phenomena. In this context, POEMMA is considered as a potential probe mission in terms of the 2020 astrophysics decadal review assessment of the probe-class concept. An overview of the POEMMA instruments, mission, and simulated UHECR and cosmic neutrino measurement capabilities are presented
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