Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jul 1980
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980newsc..87...45s&link_type=abstract
New Scientist, vol. 87, July 3, 1980, p. 45-48.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Satellite-Borne Instruments, Solar Flares, Solar Maximum Mission, Solar Physics, Space Programs, Spaceborne Astronomy, Gamma Ray Spectrometers, Onboard Equipment, Solar Constant
Scientific paper
The objectives, instruments, operation and spacecraft design for the Solar Maximum Mission are discussed. The satellite, first in a series of Multi-Mission Modular Spacecraft, was launched on February 14, 1980, to take advantage of the current maximum in the solar activity cycle to study solar flares at wavelengths from the visible to the gamma-ray. The satellite carries six instruments for the simultaneous study of solar flares, namely the coronagraph/polarimeter, X-ray polychromator, ultraviolet spectrometer and polarimeter, hard X-ray imaging spectrometer, hard X-ray burst spectrometer and gamma-ray spectrometer, and an active cavity radiometer for the accurate determination of the solar constant. In contrast to most satellite operations, Solar Maximum Mission investigators work together for the duration of the flight, comparing data obtained by the various instruments and planning observing programs daily on the basis of flare predictions and indicators. Thus far into the mission, over 50 data sets on reasonably large flares have been obtained, and important observations of coronal transients, magnetic fields in the transition region, flare time spectra, and material emitting X-rays between flares have been obtained.
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