Abstract
The ALTAIR project lofts precision calibrated light sources into the stratosphere for the purpose of exploring the optical extinction spectrum due to aerosols. This component of atmospheric extinction is the last piece of an effort to provide a comprehensive, detector-based calibration regimen applicable to the next generation of Ia supernova surveys used to explore the question of the dark energy. Our source is a bank of four laser diode modules fiber coupled to an integrating sphere and calibrated at the sub-1% level against a NIST-certified photodiode. It is observed from the ground by a similarly well characterized telescope that actively tracks the balloon. We will report on our progress in developing and refining the implementation of our calibration source, the ground instrumentation, and flight systems. We will include results of our several flights to date.
The ALTAIR Balloon-Borne Source Precision Calibration Project: A Progress Report
The ALTAIR project lofts precision calibrated light sources into the stratosphere for the purpose of exploring the optical extinction spectrum due to aerosols. This component of atmospheric extinction is the last piece of an effort to provide a comprehensive, detector-based calibration regimen applicable to the next generation of Ia supernova surveys used to explore the question of the dark energy. Our source is a bank of four laser diode modules fiber coupled to an integrating sphere and calibrated at the sub-1% level against a NIST-certified photodiode. It is observed from the ground by a similarly well characterized telescope that actively tracks the balloon. We will report on our progress in developing and refining the implementation of our calibration source, the ground instrumentation, and flight systems. We will include results of our several flights to date.