newASTROGAM -- The New MeV to GeV Gamma-ray Observatory

TL;DR

newASTROGAM is a proposed space mission designed to explore the under-studied MeV gamma-ray range with advanced detectors, aiming to address key astrophysical questions and detect multi-messenger sources from space.

Contribution

It introduces a novel gamma-ray observatory concept with unprecedented sensitivity, resolution, and broad energy coverage from keV to GeV energies.

Findings

Design of a Silicon tracker and crystal calorimeter payload

Potential to detect and study key astrophysical sources in the MeV to GeV range

Capability to constrain dark matter and study compact objects

Abstract

newASTROGAM is a breakthrough mission concept for the study of the non-thermal Universe from space with gamma rays in the energy range from 15 keV to 3 GeV. It is based on advanced space-proven detector technologies, which will achieve unprecedented sensitivity, angular and energy resolution combined with polarimetric capability. Since the MeV gamma-ray energy range is the most under-explored electromagnetic window to the Universe, a mission in this energy range can for the first time sensitively address fundamental astrophysics questions connected to the physics of compact objects and merger events, jets and their environments, supernovae and the origin of the elements, potentially constrain the nature of dark matter and many more science objectives. The mission will detect and follow-up many of the key sources of multi-messenger astronomy in the 2040s. newASTROGAM provides an unprecedentedly broad energy coverage from keV to GeV energies. The payload concept consists of a Silicon tracker combined with a crystal calorimeter. Both detectors are surrounded by an anti-coincidence detector to reject charged cosmic rays. In addition, a thin X-ray coded mask provides very good imaging capabilities. Such a mission can uniquely detect gamma rays via the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering and electron-positron pair production. newASTROGAM is proposed to the ESA call for medium-class mission ideas (M8).