The Giotto energetic particle experiment
Abstract
The Energetic Particle Experiment (EPA) onboard Giotto will measure the energy distribution of electrons, protons, and heavier nuclei (E is greater than 20 keV) during the cruise phase and in the cometary environment during the Halley encounter. The detector system consists of three particle telescopes each incorporating totally depleted silicon surface barrier layer detectors, and employing active and passive background shielding. In-situ measurements will be made of the flux and spatial distribution of energetic electrons and cometary ions in the Halley environment. Particle acceleration due to magnetic-field-line reconnection processes will, if present, be detected. The occurrence of a solar-particle event during the encounter would provide special opportunities to study the comet/solar-wind interaction and dust distribution around the comet, while the EPA would act as a reference for onboard instruments that are sensitive to particle radiation. Cruise-phase studies provide interplanetary particle flux levels since switch-on, and flare-related particle enhancements are detected.
- Publication:
-
The Giotto Mission: Its Scientific Investigations
- Pub Date:
- March 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986gmis.rept...53M
- Keywords:
-
- Energetic Particles;
- Giotto Mission;
- Halley'S Comet;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Particle Flux Density;
- Particle Telescopes;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation