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The Gamma-ray Transients Monitor

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The first astronomical CubeSat funded by Taiwan Space Agency

Gamma-ray Transients Monitor
GTM master and slave modules after assembly process.
Mission typeGamma-ray astronomy
OperatorTASA
Websitehttps://crab0.astr.nthu.edu.tw/#
Spacecraft properties
BusFormosat-8B
ManufacturerTASA
Payload mass1.9 kg
Power2 Watts
Orbital parameters
Altitude561 km
Inclination97 deg.
Main
NameGamma-ray Transients Monitor
TypeGAGG Semiconductor
Collecting areaall-sky
Wavelengths50 keV to 2 MeV
Gtm logo
GTM logo

Gamma-ray Transients Monitor(GTM) is the first space astronomical telescope of Taiwan. It is a secondary payload on board Formosat-8B (FS-8B), which is a remote-sensing satellite developed by TASA.

The goal of GTM is to track Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) and other bright gamma-ray transients with energies ranging from 50 keV to 2 MeV. GTM is made up of two identical modules on opposite sides of the FS-8B. Each module has four sensor units facing different directions, covering half of the sky. The two modules will then cover the entire sky, including the direction obscured by the Earth. The sensor units consist of a Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet (GAGG) (a semiconductor) scintillator array (50 mm x 50 mm x 8 mm) that is readout by SiPM with 16 pixel channels. GTM is expected to detect approximately 50 GRBs per year. It is expected to launch in 2026.

It is a collaboration between National Tsing Hua University, Academia Sinica and TASA. The repository that stores the code for Science Data Center (SDC) of Gamma-ray Transients Monitor is on GitHub.

Science

GRBs are the universe's most energetic explosions. However, there is significant overlap in the duration comparison of SGRBs and LGRBs, complicating a clear distinction between the two types of GRBs. Actually, many other classification methods, such as hardness ratio, time and lag, encounter overlapping issues. To advance our understanding of GRB classification based on their true progenitor mechanisms, more GRB monitors, such as GTM, can increase the number of GRB databases, which is very useful.

Using the above relationships, GRBs can be viewed as a type of standard candle for measuring distances that supernovae of type Ia cannot probe. The large redshifts make it possible to use these correlations to constrain cosmological parameters. As a result, more GRB monitors, such as GTM, can provide greater sky coverage and location capability, allowing for the discovery of more GRB afterglows, host galaxies, and redshifts, all of which are highly desirable.

References

  1. "Gamma-ray Transients Monitor". GTM. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  2. Chang, Hsiang-Kuang; Lin, Chi-Hsun; Tsao, Che-Chih; Chu, Che-Yen; Yang, Shun-Chia; Huang, Chien-You; Wang, Chao-Hsi; Su, Tze-Hsiang; Chung, Yun-Hsin; Chang, Yung-Wei; Gong, Zi-Jun; Hsiang, Jr-Yue; Lai, Keng-Li; Lin, Tsu-Hsuan; Lu, Chia-Yu (2022-01-15). "The Gamma-ray Transients Monitor (GTM) on board Formosat-8B and its GRB detection efficiency". Advances in Space Research. 69 (2): 1249–1255. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2021.10.044. ISSN 0273-1177.
  3. Huang, Chien-You Jason (2023-10-18), PbU-Jason/GTM_SDC, retrieved 2024-07-27
  4. "Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs)". GTM Science. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
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