GRIPS - Gamma-Ray Burst Investigation via Polarimetry and Spectroscopy

TL;DR

GRIPS is a proposed gamma-ray observatory designed to enhance understanding of the early universe, supernovae, and cosmic particle acceleration through advanced spectroscopy and polarimetry in the gamma-ray spectrum.

Contribution

It introduces a new gamma-ray observatory with unprecedented spectroscopy and polarimetry capabilities across a broad energy range, enabling diverse astrophysical studies.

Findings

Enhanced gamma-ray spectroscopy and polarimetry capabilities.

Potential to study supernova interiors and radioactive decays.

Advancement in understanding particle acceleration in cosmic environments.

Abstract

The primary scientific goal of the GRIPS mission is to revolutionize our understanding of the early universe using gamma-ray bursts. We propose a new generation gamma-ray observatory capable of unprecedented spectroscopy over a wide range of gamma-ray energies (200 keV--50 MeV) and of polarimetry (200--1000 keV). Secondary goals achievable by this mission include direct measurements of supernova interiors through gamma-rays from radioactive decays, nuclear astrophysics with massive stars and novae, and studies of particle acceleration near compact stars, interstellar shocks, and clusters of galaxies.