Telescope performance and image simulations of the balloon-borne coded-mask protoMIRAX experiment

TL;DR

This paper presents detailed imaging simulations for the protoMIRAX balloon experiment, demonstrating its capability to observe bright X-ray sources and informing the design of the future MIRAX satellite mission.

Contribution

It introduces comprehensive GEANT4-based simulations of the protoMIRAX experiment, including background modeling and source imaging during balloon flights.

Findings

Successful imaging of Crab, Galactic Centre sources

Capability to perform spectral and timing observations

Informing design of MIRAX satellite mission

Abstract

In this work we present the results of imaging simulations performed with the help of the GEANT4 package for the protoMIRAX hard X-ray balloon experiment. The instrumental background was simulated taking into account the various radiation components and their angular dependence, as well as a detailed mass model of the experiment. We modeled the meridian transits of the Crab Nebula and the Galatic Centre region during balloon flights in Brazil ($\sim -23^{\circ}$ of latitude and an altitude of $\sim 40 \thinspace$ km) and introduced the correspondent spectra as inputs to the imaging simulations. We present images of the Crab and of three sources in the Galactic Centre region: 1E 1740.7-2942, GRS 1758-258 and GX 1+4. The results show that the protoMIRAX experiment is capable of making spectral and timing observations of bright hard X-ray sources as well as important imaging demonstrations that will contribute to the design of the MIRAX satellite mission.