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A far ultraviolet imager for the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Mission

Authors :
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
JPL, Pasadena, CA, USA
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Payload Projects Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, 35812, Huntsville, Al, USA
Optical Aeronomy Laboratory, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 35899, Huntsville, AL, USA
Optical E.T.C., Inc., 35801, Huntsville, AL, USA
LaTrobe University, La Trobe, Australia
Space Science Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, 35812, Huntsville, AL, USA
Ann Arbor
Banks, P.
Johnson, R.B.
Torr, Marsha R.
Torr, D.G.
Zukic, M.
Ajello, J.M.
Clark, K.
Cole, K.
Keffer, C.
Parks, G.
Tsurutani, B.T.
Spann, J.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
JPL, Pasadena, CA, USA
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Payload Projects Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, 35812, Huntsville, Al, USA
Optical Aeronomy Laboratory, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 35899, Huntsville, AL, USA
Optical E.T.C., Inc., 35801, Huntsville, AL, USA
LaTrobe University, La Trobe, Australia
Space Science Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, 35812, Huntsville, AL, USA
Ann Arbor
Banks, P.
Johnson, R.B.
Torr, Marsha R.
Torr, D.G.
Zukic, M.
Ajello, J.M.
Clark, K.
Cole, K.
Keffer, C.
Parks, G.
Tsurutani, B.T.
Spann, J.
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

The aurorae are the result of collisions with the atmosphere of energetic particles that have their origin in the solar wind, and reach the atmosphere after having undergone varying degrees of acceleration and redistribution within the Earth's magnetosphere. The global scale phenomenon represented by the aurorae therefore contains considerable information concerning the solar-terrestrial connection. For example, by correctly measuring specific auroral emissions, and with the aid of comprehensive models of the region, we can infer the total energy flux entering the atmosphere and the average energy of the particles causing these emissions. Furthermore, from these auroral emissions we can determine the ionospheric conductances that are part of the closing of the magnetospheric currents through the ionosphere, and from these we can in turn obtain the electric potentials and convective patterns that are an essential element to our understanding of the global magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere. Simultaneously acquired images of the auroral oval and polar cap not only yield the temporal and spatial morphology from which we can infer activity indices, but in conjunction with simultaneous measurements made on spacecraft at other locations within the magnetosphere, allow us to map the various parts of the oval back to their source regions in the magnetosphere. This paper describes the Ultraviolet Imager for the Global Geospace Sciences portion of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics program. The instrument operates in the far ultraviolet (FUV) and is capable of imaging the auroral oval regardless of whether it is sunlit or in darkness. The instrument has an 8° circular field of view and is located on a despun platform which permits simultaneous imaging of the entire oval for at least 9 hours of every 18 hour orbit. The three mirror, unobscured aperture, optical system (f /2.9) provides excellent imaging over this full field of view, yielding a per pixel

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
En_US
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.ocn894072194
Document Type :
Electronic Resource

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