Title: Balloon-borne hard X-ray astronomy with PoGOLite: Opening a new window on the universe Authors: Miranda Jackson, PoGOLite Collaboration
High energy polarisation can be an indication of geometry, orientation, and other physical phenomena for a variety of sources, but has heretofore been a virtually unmeasured phenomenon. PoGOLite is a balloon-borne instrument intended to measure the polarisation of X-rays between 25 and 100 keV. The pathfinder version of the instrument is scheduled to be launched from northern Sweden in summer 2013. The primary targets are the Crab pulsar and nebula and Cygnus X-1.
Title: The PoGOLite control system and software Authors: M. S. Jackson
The autonomous control system of PoGOLite is presented. PoGOLite is a balloon borne X-ray polarimeter designed to observe point sources. To obtain scientific data with optimal efficiency, independent of the ground connection, the payload control system has been made autonomous in most functions. The overall system architecture and the interconnections between components, as well as the automation philosophy and software, are described. Results of performance tests are given.