CANDLE: Calibration using an Artificial star with NIST-traceable Distribution of Luminous Energy. An Engineering Demonstration Unit for Astrophysics (CANDLE)

The Astro 2020 Decadal Survey (DS) lays out an ambitious suite of programs to address key 21st Century astrophysics in its three themes, noting that the data archives from these programs are also an invaluable resource in their own right. It also unequivocally states that calibration is essential: "the most complex and precise measurements would mean nothing without pipelines to calibrate and process the raw data..." Because the science requirements to address some of the most fundamental questions of 21st Century Astrophysics e.g. the nature of dark energy? - are demanding, it is essential that calibration activities support the accurate measurements of the signals from astronomical sources. Dark energy investigations need absolute flux calibration with a precision that is 10 times better than achieved to date. Two general approaches to establishing fundamental flux calibrations are a) use stars whose spectral energy distributions are accurately determined and b) project a calibrated light source into the instrument. A solution to calibration that supports the Decadal Survey's science objectives is a NIST-traceable calibrated light source that behaves as an artificial star and is accessible to our space based observatories like JWST, The Roman Space Telescope and future IR/VIS/UV telescopes or ground-based systems like Rubin Observatory and the planned extremely large telescopes. This points to a calibration payload that could piggy-back on a star shade or be deployed as an independent payload in a suitable orbit for space-based observatories, or placed in an Earth-orbiting satellite like ORCAS and accessible to ground-based telescopes. We propose to design, build and test an SI-traceable, artificial star engineering demonstration unit (EDU) designed to fit in a volume less than 12U (1U=1000cc), where the technology readiness levels of its components can be raised to at least TRL 4. CANDLE (Calibration using an Artificial star with NIST-traceable Distribution of Luminous Energy) will provide calibrated light between 0.4 and 2.5 microns to match the wavelength range of planned surveys for dark energy studies with Roman and Rubin Observatories. Further, to enable cross-checks and mitigate systematic effects, CANDLE will consist of at least two complementary modes: single mode fiber lasers and reflected sunlight. A possible third mode is a programmable spectrum mode that mimics celestial source spectral energy distributions. The EDU will enable the calibration of the output beam profiles, characterization of the error budget, and establish performance parameters for the trade space between different orbits. The project will provide a path for achieving the flux calibration precision and accuracy that will support not only the immediate objectives of the Decada Survey's key science but will also ensure that the vast data archives from NASA's astrophysics missions can maximize science well into the future.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

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