Lunar or space-based hypertelescope for direct high-resolution imaging

Abstract

Following the testing of a pathfinder hypertelescope in the southern Alps, versions usable on the Moon or in space are proposed. The large resolution gain expected for direct imaging in a narrow “Direct Imaging Field”, with a high limiting magnitude, is of interest for many astrophysical targets and for searching for exolife on nearby exoplanets. The much larger field-of-view obtainable with multi-field focal optics, for full-sky coverage in a few days of scanning, is suitable for searching, detecting, and tracking Potentially Hazardous Asteroids with a cluster of hypertelescopes.