NSSDCA ID: 1969-006A-08
Mission Name: OSO 5This experiment was designed to (1) observe temporal variations of solar UV intensity in three broad bands between 280 A and 1030 A (280 to 370 A, 465 to 630 A, and 760 to 1030 A), (2) observe variations in intensity in these bands during solar flares, (3) make estimates for the three UV bands of active and quiet region contributions and limb brightening as a result of measurements made during solar eclipses, and (4) make an approximate determination of the differences in temperature and constituent number densities of the earth's upper atmosphere between sunrise and sunset. The instrumentation, located in the wheel section of the OSO 5 spacecraft, consisted of a single Rowland-mounted, concave, grazing-incidence, grating spectrophotometer, which dispersed the radiation into the three bands, and three Bendix resistance-strip-type photomultipliers, which detected the radiation in each band. Counts from each band were obtained during every revolution of the satellite (about 2 s) during the daylight portion of the orbit, including sunrise and sunset. The count range was from 100 to 20,000, but variations of more than 5% caused by pitch changes or interference were sometimes present. Inflight calibration, namely a check on the grating reflectivity and photomultiplier response, was made at regular intervals for the first few weeks of operation but was discontinued because of a malfunction of the calibration lamp. A background reading was also taken periodically while the instrument was looking away from the sun. Because of the calibration lamp malfunction, the instrument was deactivated by ground command in May 1969. For more information, see P. T. Kelly and W. A. Rense, Solar Phy., v. 26, p. 431, 1972.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. Fred C. Wilshusen | Other Investigator | University of Colorado | |
Mr. Robert Parker | Other Investigator | University of Colorado | |
Dr. Elmo C. Bruner, Jr. | Other Investigator | Lockheed Palo Alto | |
Dr. William A. Rense | Principal Investigator | University of Colorado |