Observation strategy of VIRTIS on Venus Express

Details Observation strategy of VIRTIS on Venus Express Observation strategy of VIRTIS on Venus Express

Apr 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja.....4109d&link_type=abstract

EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #4109

Computer Science

Sound

Scientific paper

The Venus Express mission will provide during two venusian days close observations of the atmosphere of Venus at various altitudes. VIRTIS, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer of Venus Express has many scientific targets, with observations both on day and night side, sounding at different altitudes depending on wavelengths. Of particular importance are the deciphering of the cloud structure, below the upper clouds opaque at visible and far infrared wavelengths, the lower atmospheric composition, the surface mapping in the near infrared night side windows, and the upper atmosphere non LTE emissions. Four different observation modes are foreseen: 1. Spectroscopic mode, when image reconstruction is not optimal due to orbital constraints: this mode is used at pericenter, when the altitude of the spacecraft is lower than about 10000 km, and the dwell time is shorter than 2 sec, when unavoidable smearing precludes accurate image reconstruction 2. Imaging spectroscopy, at higher altitudes: partial disk imaging spectroscopy is possible, through internal mirror scanning, combined with S/C motion. At apocenter, with off track pointing operations, it becomes possible to reconstruct global mosaics of Venus 3. Limb observations: Observations across the limb are of primary importance for the atmospheric structure, and can be performed by inertial pointing of the S/C in the direction of the limb 4. Star occultation mode: Star observations during an occultation give a different kind of observations, as they can provide atmospheric structure at higher atmospheric levels, due to refraction and absorption of the stellar light into the atmosphere. The database accumulated by VIRTIS during the Venus Express mission should provide a global three-dimensional view of the Venus atmosphere and of its variability with time.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observation strategy of VIRTIS on Venus Express does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Observation strategy of VIRTIS on Venus Express, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observation strategy of VIRTIS on Venus Express will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-842691