天体物理学与新视野：充分利用一代人的机会
Astrophysics with New Horizons: Making the Most of a Generational Opportunity
摘要：
外太阳系提供了一个独特的，安静的有利位置，从那里可以观察我们周围的宇宙，在那里测量可以实现几个利基天体物理科学案例，这些案例太难在地球附近执行。美国宇航局的新视野号任务包括一个仪器包，可提供从紫外线（UV）到近红外线（近IR）波长的成像能力，具有位于冥王星轨道之外的中等光谱分辨率。用“新视野号”进行精心设计的勘测，可以优化使用一次性推进剂和有限的数据遥测带宽，以便进行几次测量，包括详细了解宇宙河外背景光;研究本地和河外紫外线背景;测量太阳系外尘埃和冰的性质;确认凌日系外行星并确定其特征;利用引力微透镜确定暗天体的质量;以及对瞬变事件进行快速跟踪。新视野号目前正在执行一项延长任务，旨在关注柯伊伯带科学，该任务将于2021年结束。天体物理学界有一个独特的，世代的机会，利用这个任务在未来十年的日心距离超过50天文单位的天文观测。在本文中，我们讨论了这种扩展任务的潜在科学案例，并对最重要的操作要求和观测策略进行了初步评估。我们的结论是，新视野号能够进行变革性的科学研究，它将成为天体物理科学的宝贵而独特的资产，在不久的将来不太可能被复制。
英文摘要：
The outer solar system provides a unique, quiet vantage point from which to observe the universe around us, where measurements could enable several niche astrophysical science cases that are too difficult to perform near Earth. NASA's New Horizons mission comprises an instrument package that provides imaging capability from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (near-IR) wavelengths with moderate spectral resolution located beyond the orbit of Pluto. A carefully designed survey with New Horizons can optimize the use of expendable propellant and the limited data telemetry bandwidth to allow several measurements, including a detailed understanding of the cosmic extragalactic background light; studies of the local and extragalactic UV background; measurements of the properties of dust and ice in the outer solar system; confirmation and characterization of transiting exoplanets; determinations of the mass of dark objects using gravitational microlensing; and rapid follow-up of transient events. New Horizons is currently in an extended mission designed to focus on Kuiper Belt science that will conclude in 2021. The astrophysics community has a unique, generational opportunity to use this mission for astronomical observation at heliocentric distances beyond 50 au in the next decade. In this paper, we discuss the potential science cases for such an extended mission, and provide an initial assessment of the most important operational requirements and observation strategies it would require. We conclude that New Horizons is capable of transformative science, and that it would make a valuable and unique asset for astrophysical science that is unlikely to be replicated in the near future.
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