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INTEGRAL

INTEGRAL (INTErnational Gamma Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) is an ESA mission scheduled for launch in 2001. The two main instruments are IBIS (an imager in the range 50 keV-2 MeV) and SPI (for obtaining spectra in a similar energy range). The other two are JEM-X and OMC. The Joint European X-ray Monitor (JEM-X) will observe the X-ray sky in the 3-60 keV band, keeping an angular resolution of 3'. The Optical Monitoring Camera (OMC) is a device for monitoring a 2 x 2 degrees region in the V band.

For some time during the study phase, it was persued the idea of including an all-sky monitor as part of the INTEGRAL payload [71]. Unfortunately, no positive decision was finally taken and no all-sky monitor will be onboard INTEGRAL. This means that a considerable fraction of new X-ray sources will be missed. However, the GOYA WIFICAM will monitor about 50% of the sky on a daily basis. During the lifetime of the mission (2-4 yr), INTEGRAL and other missions will benefit from the GOYA discoveries, as the new sources can be further study during target of opportunity programs.



Alberto J. Castro-Tirado
Tue Mar 4 15:34:53 MET 1997