The experiment PIA of the ESA mission Giotto, a device for the analysis of the mass of the smallest particles which are released from Halley's comet
Abstract
It is generally assumed today that comets consist of a mixture of frozen gases and solid particles (dust). The material in the comets represents possibly to a large extent the primary material of which the solar system was formed. An experiment has, therefore, been designed to analyze dust particles released from Halley's comet when it approaches the sun during its next return in 1986. The study involves the use of the Particulate Impact Analyzer (PIA). The PIA experiment is to be conducted in connection with the mission Giotto of the European Space Agency (ESA). This mission is based on the launch of a space probe in July 1985. The space probe is to pass the comet Halley on March 13, 1986. The distance of the space probe from the cometary nucleus during the closest approach will be 500 km. It is expected that the spectra of approximately 4000 particles from the comet will be obtained during the 4-hour flyby.
- Publication:
-
Kleinheubacher Berichte
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983KlBer..26...83K
- Keywords:
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- Giotto Mission;
- Halley'S Comet;
- Interplanetary Dust;
- Mass Spectroscopy;
- Flyby Missions;
- Ion Accelerators;
- Particle Collisions;
- Time Of Flight Spectrometers;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation