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LOFT: the Large Observatory For X-ray Timing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2013

Tomaso M. Belloni ,
Enrico Bozzo  and
(on behalf of the LOFT Consortium)
Tomaso M. Belloni
Affiliation:
INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Via E. Bianchi 46, I-23807 Merate, Italy email: [email protected]
Enrico Bozzo
Affiliation:
ISDC, Data Center for Astrophysics of the University of Geneva chemin d'Écogia, 16 1290 Versoix, Switzerland email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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LOFT, the large observatory for X-ray timing, is a new mission concept competing with other four candidates for a launch opportunity in 2022-2024. LOFT will be performing high-time resolution X-ray observations of compact objects, combining for the first time an unprecedented large collecting area for X-ray photons and a spectral resolution approaching that of CCD-based X-ray instruments (down to 200 eV FWHM at 6 keV). The operating energy range is 2-80 keV. The main science goals of LOFT are the measurement of the neutron stars equation of states and the test of General Relativity in the strong field regime. The breakthrough capabilities of the instruments on-board LOFT will permit to open also new discovery windows for a wide range of Galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources.

In this contribution, we provide a general description of the mission concept and summarize its main scientific capabilities.

Keywords

instrumentation: detectorsX-rays: binariesX-rays: galaxiesrelativityequation of state
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 8 , Symposium S290: Feeding Compact Objects: Accretion on All Scales , August 2012 , pp. 163 - 170
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2013

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