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The lightweight energetic particle detector EPONA and its performance on Giotto

1987; IOP Publishing; Volume: 20; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1088/0022-3735/20/6/032

2051-5685

S. McKenna‐Lawlor, E. Kirsch, A. Thompson, D. O’Sullivan, K. P. Wenzel,

Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies

A lightweight energetic particle detector system (EPONA/EPA) is described which was designed to operate in those novel environmental conditions (i) characterised by the varying solar aspect angles and temperatures pertaining during the cruise phase of the Giotto spacecraft and (ii) during the dust bombardment characterising closest approach ( approximately 600 km) to the nucleus of Comet Halley. Representative data, illustrating the functioning of EPONA during both the Giotto cruise phase and at comet encounter, are presented. The instrument has a wide range of applications to other space experiments where reliable plasma diagnostics are required. Data monitoring is also discussed together with data reduction.