Physics
Scientific paper
Nov 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003soph..217..319e&link_type=abstract
Solar Physics, v. 217, Issue 2, p. 319-347 (2003).
Physics
84
Scientific paper
We describe an instrument (SMEI) which has been specifically designed to detect and forecast the arrival of solar mass ejections and other heliospheric structures which are moving towards the Earth. Such events may cause geomagnetic storms, with resulting radiation hazards and disruption to military and commercial communications; damage to Earth-orbiting spacecraft; and also terrestrial effects such as surges in transcontinental power transmission lines. The detectors are sensitive over the optical wave-band, which is measured using CCD cameras. SMEI was launched on 6 January 2003 on the Coriolis spacecraft into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit as part of the US DoD Space Test Programme. The instrument contains three cameras, each with a field of view of 60°×3°, which are mounted onto the spacecraft such that they scan most of the sky every 102-min orbit. The sensitivity is such that changes in sky brightness equivalent to a tenth magnitude star in one square degree of sky may be detected. Each camera takes an image every 4 s. The normal telemetry rate is 128 kbits s-1. In order to extract the emission from a typical large coronal mass ejection, stellar images and the signal from the zodiacal dust cloud must be subtracted. This requires accurate relative photometry to 0.1%. One consequence is that images of stars and the zodiacal cloud will be measured to this photometric accuracy once per orbit. This will enable studies of transient zodiacal cloud phenomena, flare stars, supernovae, comets, and other varying point-like objects.
Anderson P. A.
Buffington Andrew
Cooke Mark P.
Eyles Chris J.
Hick Pierre P.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Solar Mass Ejection Imager (Smei) 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 The Solar Mass Ejection Imager (Smei), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Solar Mass Ejection Imager (Smei) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1768028