NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Space Science Data Center Header

Infrared Radiometer

NSSDC ID: 1973-019A-08
Mission Name: Pioneer 11
Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrew P. Ingersoll

Description

The Pioneer 11 infrared radiometer experiment measured the Jovian and Saturnian thermal balance, temperature distribution in the outer atmosphere, general surface composition (including the overall hydrogen-to-helium ratio), and dark-side temperature. The instrument consisted of a 7.62-cm reflecting Cassegrain telescope with a 1-deg by 3-deg field of view that illuminated a pair of 88-channel, thin-film bimetallic thermopiles in two bands of the IR spectrum (14 to 25 micrometers and 19 to 56 micrometers) to measure the irradiance. The two-channel radiometer was similar to those flown on Mariners 6 and 7, but was more accurate and had better spatial resolution. This instrument was turned off in October 1979.

Funding Agency

  • NASA-Office of Space Science (United States)

Disciplines

  • Astronomy: Infrared
  • Planetary Science: Atmospheres

Additional Information

Questions or comments about this experiment can be directed to: Dr. John F. Cooper.

 

Personnel

NameRoleOriginal AffiliationE-mail
Mr. Stillman C. Chase, Jr.Other InvestigatorSanta Barbara Research Center 
Dr. Laurence M. TraftonOther InvestigatorUniversity of Texas, Austinlmt@astro.as.utexas.edu
Dr. Gerry NeugebauerOther InvestigatorCalifornia Institute of Technologygxn@mop.caltech.edu
Dr. Robert W. BoeseOther InvestigatorNASA Ames Research Center 
Dr. Andrew P. IngersollPrincipal InvestigatorCalifornia Institute of Technologyapi@gps.caltech.edu
[USA.gov] NASA Logo - nasa.gov