SWAN. A study of solar wind anisotropies.
Abstract
The principle scientific objective of SWAN is to investigate the latitude distribution of the solar wind. This objective is fulfilled by mapping the emissivity of the interplanetary Lyman alpha light. The link between the Lyman alpha light and the solar wind is the interplanetary hydrogen gas which scatters the solar Lyman alpha photons and is ionized by solar wind protons. Besides the solar wind, the SWAN instrument increases knowledge of the properties of interplanetary hydrogen. The heliopause signature, comets, and the solar coronal observations are the secondary objectives of SWAN. The mapping of the celestial sphere is accomplished by two identical sensor units placed on the opposite sides of SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory). Each sensor consists of a two mirror sensor head (for 2(pi) str coverage), a hydrogen cell (for a line analysis), and a detector. The detector consists of a microchannel plate and a 5 by 5 anode array.
- Publication:
-
Coronal Streamers, Coronal Loops, and Coronal and Solar Wind Composition
- Pub Date:
- November 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992ESASP.348...37B
- Keywords:
-
- Hydrogen;
- Interplanetary Medium;
- Lyman Alpha Radiation;
- Remote Sensing;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Soho Mission;
- Solar Wind;
- European Space Programs;
- Heliosphere;
- Nasa Space Programs;
- Radiation Detectors;
- Radiation Distribution;
- Solar Physics