Ground calibration and network of the first CATCH pathfinder

• Published in: Experimental astronomy Vol. 58; no. 3
• Main Authors: Huang, Yiming, Xiao, Jingyu, Tao, Lian, Zhang, Shuang-Nan, Yin, Qian-Qing, Wang, Yusa, Zhao, Zijian, Zhang, Chen, Zhao, Qingchang, Ma, Xiang, Zhao, Shujie, Zhou, Heng, Wen, Xiangyang, Li, Zhengwei, Xiong, Shaolin, Zhang, Juan, Bu, Qingcui, Cang, Jirong, Cao, Dezhi, Chen, Wen, Ding, Siran, Dai, Yanfeng, Gao, Min, Gao, Yang, He, Huilin, Hou, Shujin, Hou, Dongjie, Hu, Tai, Huang, Guoli, Huang, Yue, Jia, Liping, Jin, Ge, Li, Dalin, Li, Jinsong, Li, Panping, Li, Yajun, Liu, Xiaojing, Ma, Ruican, Men, Lingling, Pan, Xingyu, Qi, Liqiang, Song, Liming, Sun, Xianfei, Tang, Qingwen, Xiong, Liyuan, Xu, Yibo, Yang, Sheng, Yang, Yanji, Yang, Yong, Zhang, Aimei, Zhang, Wei, Zhang, Yifan, Zhang, Yueting, Zhao, Donghua, Zhao, Kang, Zhu, Yuxuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.12.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astronomy; Calibration; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Detectors; Focal plane; Observations and Techniques; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Space missions; Statistics for Engineering; Workflow; X-ray astronomy; Ground calibration; CATCH; Micro pore optics
• ISSN: 0922-6435; 1572-9508
• DOI: 10.1007/s10686-024-09963-7

The Chasing All Transients Constellation Hunters (CATCH) space mission is focused on exploring the dynamic universe via X-ray follow-up observations of various transients. The first pathfinder of the CATCH mission, CATCH-1, was launched on June 22, 2024, alongside the Space-based multiband astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) mission. CATCH-1 is equipped with narrow-field optimized Micro Pore Optics (MPOs) featuring a large effective area and incorporates four Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs) in its focal plane. This paper presents the system calibration results conducted before the satellite integration. Utilizing the data on the performance of the mirror and detectors obtained through the system calibration, combined with simulated data, the ground calibration database can be established. Measuring the relative positions of the mirror and detector system, which were adjusted during system calibration, allows for accurate installation of the entire satellite. Furthermore, the paper outlines the operational workflow of the ground network post-satellite launch.