Development of a phase-sensitive absolute radiometer for space and ground-based use
Abstract
Absolute radiometers with a phase-sensitive signal analysis are already being used in space successfully (Lawrence et al. (2000)). These instruments are operated with relatively long shutter periods of several minutes. Unfortunately, they have a large thermal capacity and are rather large and heavy and are therefore unsuitable for use on space missions where there is only a limited amount of load capacity available. The aim of our project is to develop a radiometer with a relatively small cavity and thermal capacity, which is based on phase-sensitive signal analysis as well, and which will have a much better accuracy than traditional instruments. With the help of the phase-sensitive analysis, many thermal sources of irritation, such as the so-called non-equivalence of the electric and radiative heating, can be eliminated. We hope to be able to run a radiometer experiment on both Solar Orbiter and Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) spacecraft, where the main advantage of reduced weight comes in. As a side effect, radiometers with small shutter periods are suitable for ground-based use as well, as they can handle fast changes in irradiance, i.e. altitude of the sun.
- Publication:
-
17th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research
- Pub Date:
- August 2005
- Bibcode:
- 2005ESASP.590..467S
- Keywords:
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- Techniques;
- Instrumentation;
- Sun;
- Radiometry;
- Stratospheric Balloon