University  of Toronto
Visible and Near- UV Wide-Field Imaging from the  Stratosphere — PI: Dr. Calvin  Barth Netterfield. Many  of the most pressing questions in astrophysics and cosmology, such as the  effects of dark energy on the cosmos, can only be addressed through wide-field  imaging in space. The objective of this project is to design and build  the GigaBIT telescope, a diffraction-limited 1.3 m visible/near- UV wide-field imaging telescope, and conduct its first engineering flight. This  project also aims to fly and analyze data from GigaBIT's predecessor, the  SuperBIT balloon-borne telescope. These telescopes, by providing large images  of distant galaxies, will help probe  the distribution of dark matter through distortions in space caused by gravity. It will advance the technology of optical and  near- UV telescopes and pointing systems, and advance our understanding of  cluster physics, in addition to providing Canada with the most sensitive near- UV /visible  imaging telescope in the world.