Large Scale Extinction Maps with UVIT

TL;DR

This paper evaluates UVIT's potential to map interstellar extinction in 3D with high accuracy, aiding studies of the Galaxy and distant objects, and guides mission planning for optimal scientific return.

Contribution

It demonstrates UVIT's capability to measure interstellar reddening with high precision, enabling detailed 3D extinction mapping in our Galaxy.

Findings

UVIT can measure reddening with about 0.02 mag accuracy.

High-precision extinction measurements facilitate 3D Galactic dust mapping.

Results will improve understanding of the interstellar medium and distant object observations.

Abstract

The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) is scheduled to be launched as a part of the ASTROSAT satellite. As part of the mission planning for the instrument we have studied the efficacy of UVIT observations for interstellar extinction measurements. We find that in the best case scenario, the UVIT can measure the reddening to an accuracy of about 0.02 magnitudes, which combined with the derived distances to the stars, will enable us to model the three-dimensional distribution of extinction in our Galaxy. The knowledge of the distribution of the ISM will then be used to study distant objects, affected by it. This work points the way to further refining the UVIT mission plan to best satisfy different science studies.