MAMBO (Mini Astrophysical MeV Background Observatory)

Gamma-ray astrophysics investigation that will answer three decades old questions about the mysterious Cosmic Diffuse Gamma-ray (CDG) background.

Gamma-ray astrophysics investigation that will answer three decades old questions about the mysterious Cosmic Diffuse Gamma-ray (CDG) background:

• What is the detailed spectral shape of the CDG from 0.3 – 10 MeV?
• Is the MeV CDG truly isotropic across the sky?
• What is the contribution of nuclear processes over the history of the Universe to the MeV CDG?

MAMBO achieves high efficiency and exceptional background rejection using an innovative shielding configuration. The Primary Detector (BGO scintillator) is exposed to the CDG. The Background Monitor (identical BGO) is shielded from the CDG by the Primary, but exposed to the identical instrumental background. Gains are kept the same using a tagged 60Co source. Instrumental background is thus directly measured and subtracted. Close spacing is enabled by the use of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs)

• PLATFORM - NanoAvionics