364 articles – 2951 Notices  [english version]
 HAL : in2p3-00455332, version 1
 arXiv : astro-ph/0304417
 A wide-field space-based imaging telescope is necessary to fully exploit the technique of observing dark matter via weak gravitational lensing. This first paper in a three part series outlines the survey strategies and relevant instrumental parameters for such a mission. As a concrete example of hardware design, we consider the proposed Supernova/Acceleration Probe (SNAP). Using SNAP engineering models, we quantify the major contributions to this telescope's point spread function (PSF). These PSF contributions are relevant to any similar wide-field space telescope. We further show that the PSF of SNAP or a similar telescope will be smaller than current ground-based PSFs, and more isotropic and stable over time than the PSF of the Hubble Space Telescope. We outline survey strategies for two different regimes--a wide'' 300 square degree survey and a deep'' 15 square degree survey that will accomplish various weak lensing goals including statistical studies and dark matter mapping.