NSSDCA ID: 1971-049A-03
Mission Name: Mars 3This experiment consisted of two photon-counting detectors with windows of lithium flouride and filled with nitrogen oxide. These photometers recorded the ultraviolet radiation scattered by the upper atmosphere of Mars. One detector was devoted to measuring the radiation in the Lyman-alpha line. The other detector was a three-channel filter photometer that measured the fluxes in the wavelength intervals from 1050 to 1180 A, 1050 to 1340 A, and 1225 to 1340 A. In addition, an optically opaque filter could be placed in front of the counter's window in order that measurements of the charged-particle-induced background could be made. The pulses from the counters were registered in both an analog and a digital mode. In the analog mode, a logarithmic ratemeter having a counting-rate range from 20 to 2000 counts/sec was used. In the digital mode, measurements were permitted from the minimum detectable, due to the background, up to a maximum of 100 counts/sec. Both photometers had fields-of-view of approximately ten degrees. The photometers were shielded with 3 grams/cm-sq of lead to lessen the background noise induced by charged particles. The instrument's optical axis lay almost in the plane of the satellite orbit. A standard observational sequence was as follows -- disk/pericenter/limb.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. V. G. Kurt | General Contact | Institut Kosmicheskich Issledovaniya (IKI) | |
Dr. V. S. Smirnov | General Contact | Institut Kosmicheskich Issledovaniya (IKI) |