Science with e-ASTROGAM (A space mission for MeV-GeV gamma-ray astrophysics)

TL;DR

e-ASTROGAM is a space mission designed to study the non-thermal Universe in the MeV to GeV gamma-ray range with unprecedented sensitivity, resolution, and polarimetric capabilities, opening new avenues in high-energy astrophysics.

Contribution

The paper introduces e-ASTROGAM, a novel space observatory with advanced detector technology that significantly improves sensitivity and resolution in the MeV-GeV gamma-ray domain.

Findings

Enhanced sensitivity in the MeV range by 10-100 times

Improved angular and energy resolution over predecessors

Capability to perform polarimetric measurements of gamma-ray sources

Abstract

e-ASTROGAM (enhanced ASTROGAM) is a breakthrough Observatory space mission, with a detector composed by a Silicon tracker, a calorimeter, and an anticoincidence system, dedicated to the study of the non-thermal Universe in the photon energy range from 0.3 MeV to 3 GeV - the lower energy limit can be pushed to energies as low as 150 keV for the tracker, and to 30 keV for calorimetric detection. The mission is based on an advanced space-proven detector technology, with unprecedented sensitivity, angular and energy resolution, combined with polarimetric capability. Thanks to its performance in the MeV-GeV domain, substantially improving its predecessors, e-ASTROGAM will open a new window on the non-thermal Universe, making pioneering observations of the most powerful Galactic and extragalactic sources, elucidating the nature of their relativistic outflows and their effects on the surroundings. With a line sensitivity in the MeV energy range one to two orders of magnitude better than previous generation instruments, e-ASTROGAM will determine the origin of key isotopes fundamental for the understanding of supernova explosion and the chemical evolution of our Galaxy. The mission will provide unique data of significant interest to a broad astronomical community, complementary to powerful observatories such as LIGO-Virgo-GEO600-KAGRA, SKA, ALMA, E-ELT, TMT, LSST, JWST, Athena, CTA, IceCube, KM3NeT, and LISA.