UV imaging results of comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) and other planetary targets using the Southwest UV Imaging System (SWUIS) aboard the Space Shuttle
Abstract
The Southwest UV Imaging System (SWUIS) is a compact, low-cost ultraviolet/visible/infrared imaging system designed for remote sensing observations from a manned platform in space. SWUIS has made two flights aboard the Space Shuttle on flights STS-85 in August 1997 and STS-93 scheduled for launch in late July 1999. During its maiden flight aboard STS-85, SWUIS collected > 4.1 x 10(5) images of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) in key emission bands spanning the mid-UV/VIS wavelengths at a time when the solar elongation of Hale-Bopp was too small to permit HST and other UV observations. From this data set, H_2O and dust production rates were calculated for Hale-Bopp at a heliocentric distance of 2.33 AU. The H_2O production rate, QH2O, based on the observed brightness of the OH emission at 308.5 nm, was 2.6 +/- 0.4 x 10(29) s(-1) . Hale-Bopp's dust production parameter, Afrho , was 2.0 +/- 0.8 x 10(5) cm. We will present these results along with preliminary UV imaging results of the Moon and other planetary targets taken during the STS-93 flight (assuming all goes as planned with this mission). In addition, we will describe the capabilities of SWUIS and its interface to the Space Shuttle.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #31
- Pub Date:
- September 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999DPS....31.0805S