Dr. Kenneth G. Carpenter Profile

Dr. Kenneth G. Carpenter

Astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (24)

Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Artemis-enabled Stellar Imager (AeSI): a Lunar long-baseline UV/optical imaging interferometer

Gioia Rau, Kenneth Carpenter, Tabetha Boyajian, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Julianne Foster, Margarita Karovska, David Leisawitz, Jon Morse, David Mozurkewich, Sarah Peacock, Noah Petro, Paul Scowen, Breann Sitarski, Gerard van Belle, Erik Wilkinson

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130951J (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3028797

KEYWORDS: Astronomical interferometers, Imaging systems, Stars, Interferometers, Stellar interferometry, Chemical elements, Ultraviolet radiation, Magnetism, Exoplanets, Engineering

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Proceedings Article | 23 August 2024 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

MoonLITE: a CLPS-delivered NASA Astrophysics Pioneers lunar optical interferometer for sensitive, milliarcsecond observing

Gerard van Belle, David Ciardi, Daniel Hillsberry, Anders Jorgensen, John Monnier, Krista Lynne Smith, Tabetha Boyajian, Kenneth Carpenter, Catherine Clark, Gioia Rau, Gail Schaefer

Proceedings Volume 13092, 130922N (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020371

KEYWORDS: Long baseline optical interferometry, Astronomical interferometry, Michelson interferometers, Exoplanetary science, Telescopes, Equipment, Stars, Optical interferometry, Astronomical interferometers, Spatial resolution, Astrophysics

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MoonLITE (Lunar InTerferometry Explorer) is an Astrophysics Pioneers proposal to develop, build, fly, and operate the first separated-aperture optical interferometer in space, delivering sub-milliarcsecond science results. MoonLITE will leverage the Pioneers opportunity for utilizing NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) to deliver an optical interferometer to the lunar surface, enabling unprecedented discovery power by combining high spatial resolution from optical interferometry with deep sensitivity from the stability of the lunar surface. Following landing, the CLPS-provided rover will deploy the pre-loaded MoonLITE outboard optical telescope 100 meters from the lander’s inboard telescope, establishing a two-element interferometric observatory with a single deployment. MoonLITE will observe targets as faint as 17th magnitude in the visible, exceeding ground-based interferometric sensitivity by many magnitudes, and surpassing space-based optical systems resolution by a factor of 50×. The capabilities of MoonLITE open a unique discovery space that includes direct size measurements of the smallest, coolest stars and substellar brown dwarfs; searches for close-in stellar companions orbiting exoplanet-hosting stars that could confound our understanding and characterization of the frequency of Earth-like planets; direct size measurements of young stellar objects and characterization of the terrestrial planet-forming regions of these young stars; measurements of the inner regions and binary fraction of active galactic nuclei; and a probe of the very nature of spacetime foam itself. A portion of the observing time will also be made available to the broader community via a guest observer program. MoonLITE takes advantage of the CLPS opportunity to place an interferometer in space on a stable platform – the lunar surface – and delivers an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and angular resolution at the remarkably affordable cost point of Pioneers.

Proceedings Article | 26 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Laser-guided space interferometer

Leonid Pogorelyuk, Paul Serra, Shreeyam Kacker, Sophia Vlahakis, Nicholas Belsten, Gioia Rau, Kenneth Carpenter, Laurent Pueyo, John Monnier, Ewan Douglas, Kerri Cahoy

Proceedings Volume 12183, 121831E (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630605

KEYWORDS: Stars, Mirrors, Interferometers, Signal to noise ratio, Diffraction, Laser guide stars, Space mirrors, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 20 November 2017 Open Access

Open Access

Paper

Weighing supermassive black holes with the UV photon sieve space telescope

Vladimir Airapetian, Robert Upton, Joseph Davila, Marzouk Marzouk, Kenneth Carpenter, Kimberly Weaver

Proceedings Volume 10564, 105643R (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2309025

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Paper

Interferometer evolution: imaging terras after building 'little' experiments (INEVITABLE)

S. Rinehart, K. Carpenter, G. van Belle, S. Unwin

Proceedings Volume 9146, 914617 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056611

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Spatial resolution, Planets, Exoplanets, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Interferometry, Stars, Clouds, X-rays

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Proceedings Article | 21 September 2012 Paper

Paper

Using the ISS as a testbed to prepare for the next generation of space-based telescopes

Marc Postman, William Sparks, Fengchuan Liu, Kim Ess, Joseph Green, Kenneth Carpenter, Harley Thronson, Renaud Goullioud

Proceedings Volume 8442, 84421T (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926492

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Telescopes, Mirrors, Cameras, Astronomy, Optical fabrication, Optical instrument design, Robotics, Wavefront sensors, Image segmentation

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2009 Paper

Paper

Stellar imager (SI): enhancements to the mission enabled by the constellation architecture (Ares I/Ares V)

Kenneth Carpenter, Margarita Karovska, Richard Lyon, D. Mozurkewich, Carolus Schrijver

Proceedings Volume 7436, 74360A (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.825393

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Imaging systems, Magnetism, Space operations, Spatial resolution, Image resolution, Imaging spectroscopy, Astrophysics, Stars, Robots

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Proceedings Article | 20 August 2009 Paper

Paper

Balloon exoplanet nulling interferometer (BENI)

Richard Lyon, Mark Clampin, Robert Woodruff, Gopal Vasudevan, Holland Ford, Larry Petro, Jay Herman, Stephen Rinehart, Kenneth Carpenter, Joe Marzouk

Proceedings Volume 7440, 74401A (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827411

KEYWORDS: Planets, Interferometers, Telescopes, Stars, Digital signal processing, Sensors, Exoplanets, Mirrors, Wavefronts, Cameras

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Proceedings Article | 15 July 2008 Paper

Paper

Stellar Imager: wavefront control

Richard Lyon, Kenneth Carpenter, Peter Petrone, Peter Dogoda, Daniel Reed, David Mozurkewich

Proceedings Volume 7011, 701131 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789758

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Wavefronts, Imaging systems, Actuators, Wavefront sensors, Control systems, Spherical lenses, Interferometry, Modulation transfer functions, Off axis mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 21 September 2007 Paper

Paper

Wavefront sensing and closed-loop control for the Fizeau interferometry testbed

Richard Lyon, Kenneth Carpenter, Alice Liu, Peter Petrone, Peter Dogoda, Daniel Reed, David Mozurkewich

Proceedings Volume 6687, 66870H (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.731761

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Wavefronts, Imaging systems, Actuators, Wavefront sensors, Interferometry, Control systems, Spherical lenses, Modulation transfer functions, Optical transfer functions

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Proceedings Article | 20 September 2007 Paper

Paper

Beam combination for Stellar Imager and its application to full-aperture imaging

D. Mozurkewich, K. Carpenter, R. Lyon

Proceedings Volume 6687, 66870K (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732833

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Sensors, Telescopes, Spatial frequencies, Mirrors, Space telescopes, Interferometry, Adaptive optics, Wavefronts, Signal to noise ratio

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Proceedings Article | 20 September 2007 Paper

Paper

Direct UV/optical imaging of stellar surfaces: the Stellar Imager Vision Mission

Kenneth Carpenter, Richard Lyon, Carolus Schrijver, Margarita Karovska, David Mozurkewich

Proceedings Volume 6687, 66870G (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732440

KEYWORDS: Stars, Imaging systems, Magnetism, Mirrors, Space operations, Sun, Planets, Image resolution, Ultraviolet radiation, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 28 June 2006 Paper

Paper

The Stellar Imager (SI) vision mission

Kenneth Carpenter, Carolus Schrijver, Margarita Karovska

Proceedings Volume 6268, 626821 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669713

KEYWORDS: Stars, Imaging systems, Sun, Magnetism, Mirrors, Space operations, Planets, Observatories, Control systems, Interferometers

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

The Stellar Imager (SI): a revolutionary large-baseline imaging interferometer at the Sun-Earth L2 point

Kenneth Carpenter, Carolus Schrijver, Ronald Allen, Alexander Brown, David Chenette, William Danchi, Margarita Karovska, Steven Kilston, Richard Lyon, Joe Marzouk, Lisa Mazzuca, Rud Moe, Frederick Walter, Neil Murphy

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550572

KEYWORDS: Stars, Magnetism, Imaging systems, Sun, Solar processes, Ultraviolet radiation, Spatial resolution, Interferometry, Interferometers, Control systems

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

Metrology and pointing for astronomical interferometers

James Phillips, Kenneth Carpenter, Keith Gendreau, Margarita Karovska, Philip Kaaret, Robert Reasenberg

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552645

KEYWORDS: Stars, Interferometers, Metrology, Sensors, Mirrors, Imaging systems, Space operations, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Gyroscopes

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

The Fizeau interferometer testbed (FIT): developing and testing the technologies needed for space-based interferometric imaging systems

Lisa Mazzuca, Kenneth Carpenter, Richard Lyon, Joe Marzouk, Peter Petrone, Paul Cottle, Peter Dogoda, Hubert Huet, Peter Liiva, David Mozurkewich, J. Armstrong, Xiaolei Zhang, Gregory Solyar, Lee Mundy

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550450

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Imaging systems, Actuators, Wavefronts, Interferometry, Control systems, Spherical lenses, Calibration, Fizeau interferometers, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

Fabrication and characterization of the Fizeau interferometer testbed

Peter Petrone, Kenneth Carpenter, Dave Clark, Paul Cottle, Peter Dogoda, Hubert Huet, Peter Liiva, Richard Lyon, Joe Marzouk, Lisa Mazzuca, Dave McAndrew, Gregory Solyar

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552269

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Image segmentation, Imaging systems, Optical alignment, Ferroelectric materials, Actuators, CCD cameras, Spherical lenses, Phase retrieval, Fizeau interferometers

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Proceedings Article | 12 October 2004 Paper

Paper

Apodized square aperture plus occulter concept for TPF

Ian Jordan, Alfred Schultz, Richard Lyon, Helen Hart, Frederick Bruhweiler, Dorothy Fraquelli, Kenneth Carpenter, Mark Kochte, Jan Hollis

Proceedings Volume 5487, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.553029

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Telescopes, Stars, Space operations, Planets, Wavefronts, Diffraction, Optical instrument design, Opacity, Point spread functions

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Proceedings Article | 12 October 2004 Paper

Paper

Fizeau interferometry testbed: wavefront control

Richard Lyon, Kenneth Carpenter, Lisa Mazzuca, Hubert Huet, Paul Cottle, Peter Petrone, Peter Dagoda, Peter Liiva, Joe Marzouk, Gregory Solyar, David Mozurkewich, Xiaolei Zhang, Thomas Armstrong

Proceedings Volume 5487, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552198

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Wavefronts, Actuators, Imaging systems, Wavefront sensors, Modulation transfer functions, Interferometry, Control systems, Phase retrieval, Spherical lenses

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Proceedings Article | 19 November 2003 Paper

Paper

Imaging terrestrial planets with a free-flying occulter and space telescope: an optical simulation

Alfred Schultz, Richard Lyon, Mark Kochte, Dorothy Fraquelli, Frederick Bruhweiler, Ian Jordan, Kenneth Carpenter, Michael DiSanti, Cherie Miskey, Melodi Rodrigue, M. Fadali, Dennis Skelton, Helen Hart, Kwang-Ping Cheng

Proceedings Volume 5170, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506192

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Space telescopes, Planets, Point spread functions, Apodization, Stars, Optical simulations, Coronagraphy, Light scattering, Fourier transforms

Read Abstract +

In this manuscript, we further develop our concepts for the free-flying occulter space-based mission, the Umbral Missions Blocking Radiating Astronomical Sources (UMBRAS). Our optical simulations clearly show that an UMBRAS-like mission designed around a 4-m telescope and 10-m occulter could directly image terrestrial planets. Such a mission utilizing existing technology could be built and flown by the end of the decade. Moreover, many of the other proposed concepts for Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) could significantly benefit by using an external occulter. We present simultations for an optical design comprising a square aperture telescope plus square external occulter. We show that the entire diffraction pattern, which is propagated from occulter to telescope and through telescope to focal plane, may be characterized by two parameters, the Fresnel number and the ratio of the telescope diameter to the occulter width. Combining the effects of a square occulter with apodization provides a much more rapid roll-off in the PSF intensity between the diffraction spikes than may be achieved with an unapodized telecope aperture and occulter. We parameterize our results with respect to wavefront quality and compare them against other competing methods for exo-planet imaging. The combination of external occulter and apodization yields the required contrast in the region of the PSF essential for exo-planet detection. An occulter external to the telescope (i.e., in a separate spacecraft, as opposed to a classical coronagraph with internal occulter) reduces light scatter within the telescope by approximately 2 orders of magnitude. This is due to less light actually entering the telescope. Reduced scattered light significantly relaxes the constraints on the mirror surface roughness, especially in the mid-spatial frequencies critical for planet detection. This study, plus our previous investigations of engineering as well as spacecraft rendezvous and formation flying clearly indicates that the UMBRAS concept is very competitive with, or superior to, other proposed concepts for TPF missions.

Proceedings Article | 3 March 2003 Paper

Paper

UMBRAS: a matched occulter and telescope for imaging extrasolar planets

Alfred Schultz, Ian Jordan, Mark Kochte, Dorothy Fraquelli, Fred Bruhweiler, Jan Hollis, Kenneth Carpenter, Richard Lyon, Mike DiSanti, Cherie Miskey, Jesse Leitner, Richard Burns, Scott Starin, Melodi Rodrigue, M. Fadali, Dennis Skelton, Helen Hart, Forrest Hamilton, Kwang-Ping Cheng

Proceedings Volume 4860, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.457643

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Telescopes, Planets, Stars, Space operations, Exoplanets, Target acquisition, Diffraction, Point spread functions, Coronagraphy

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We describe a 1-meter space telescope plus free-flying occulter craft mission that would provide direct imaging and spectroscopic observations of Jovian and Uranus-sized planets about nearby stars not detectable by Doppler techniques. The Doppler technique is most sensitive for the detection of massive, close-in extrasolar planets while the use of a free-flying occulter would make it possible to image and study stellar systems with planets comparable to our own Solar System. Such a mission with a larger telescope has the potential to detect earth-like planets. Previous studies of free-flying occulters reported advantages in having the occulting spot outside the telescope compared to a classical coronagraph onboard a space telescope. Using an external occulter means light scatter within the telescope is reduced due to fewer internal obstructions and less light entering the telescope and the polishing tolerances of the primary mirror and the supporting optics can be less stringent, thereby providing higher contrast and fainter detection limits. In this concept, the occulting spot is positioned over the star by translating the occulter craft, at distances of 1,000 to 15,000 kms from the telescope, on the sky instead of by moving the telescope. Any source within the telescope field-of-view can be occulted without moving the telescope. In this paper, we present our current concept for a 1-m space telescope matched to a free-flying occulter, the Umbral Missions Blocking Radiating Astronomical Sources (UMBRAS) space mission. An UMBRAS space mission consists of a Solar Powered Ion Driven Eclipsing Rover (SPIDER) occulter craft and a matched (apodized) telescope. The occulter spacecraft would be semi-autonomous, with its own propulsion systems, internal power (solar cells), communications, and navigation capability. Spacecraft rendezvous and formation flying would be achieved with the aid of telescope imaging, RF or laser ranging, celestial navigation inputs, and formation control algorithms.

Proceedings Article | 26 February 2003 Paper

Paper

Simulating dilute-aperture imaging: the Stellar Imager

Jayadev Rajagopal, Torsten Boker, Ronald Allen, Kenneth Carpenter

Proceedings Volume 4852, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460718

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Image resolution, Interferometers, Device simulation, Apertures, Imaging systems, Stars, Image quality, Space operations, Error analysis

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Proceedings Article | 24 February 2003 Paper

Paper

The Stellar Imager (SI) mission concept

Kenneth Carpenter, Carolus Schrijver, Richard Lyon, Lee Mundy, Ronald Allen, J. Thomas Armstrong, William Danchi, Margarita Karovska, Joseph Marzouk, Lisa Mazzuca, David Mozurkewich, Susan Neff, Thomas Pauls, Jayadev Rajagopal, Gregory Solyar, Xiaolei Zhang

Proceedings Volume 4854, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459776

KEYWORDS: Stars, Magnetism, Imaging systems, Interferometers, Mirrors, Space telescopes, Interferometry, Planets, Image resolution, Ultraviolet radiation

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Proceedings Article | 24 February 2003 Paper

Paper

A novel process to fabricate mirrors with a very long radius and ultra-smooth surfaces

Peter Chen, Kenneth Carpenter, Robert Romeo

Proceedings Volume 4854, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459949

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Composites, Space mirrors, Space operations, Interferometers, Monochromatic aberrations, Spherical lenses, Space telescopes, Optical fabrication, Control systems

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Showing 5 of 24 publications

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