In this paper we describe the design, science objectives, and preliminary results of the Dual-channel Extreme Ultraviolet Continuum Experiment (DEUCE). DEUCE is a dual-channel, sounding-rocket borne spectrograph consisting of a Wolter-II telescope and the largest MCP detector ever own in space. The DEUCE science objective is to obtain the first 700-1150 A spectra of highly ionizing hot stars in order to calibrate stellar models and better understand the role of such stars in ionization upkeep. DEUCE launched in December 2018 and obtained a quality spectrum of B star Epsilon Canis Majoris, which is preliminarily presented and discussed.

© (2019) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Nicholas Erickson, James Green, Kevin France, John Stocke, Nicholas Nell, Brian Fleming, and Emily Witt, "The Dual-channel Extreme Ultraviolet Continuum Experiment: Sounding rocket EUV observations of local B stars to determine their potential for supplying intergalactic ionizing radiation," Proc. SPIE 11118, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XXI, 111180S (Presented at SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications: August 12, 2019; Published: 9 September 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2527931.