• NASA Portal
  • Site Help
  • Feedback
  • Phone Book
Search For:
in
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
  • DATA
  • ANNEX
  • DOCUMENTS
  • SOFTWARE
  • PERSONNEL
  • RELATED SITES
  • ABOUT PDS
 
  • Instrument
  • Missions
  • Target/Planet
  • Volume Series
  • Errata

Pioneer 11

TARGETS

QUICK LINKS

FAQ
Citation Policy
Errata for all volumes
Help for Data Users
Help for Data Reviewers
Help for Data Providers

PDS NODES

PDS Home
Atmospheres
Geosciences
Cartography and Imaging Sciences
NAIF (SPICE)
Ring-Moon Systems
Small Bodies
Management
ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOMETER
UV



Instrument Overview
===================
The ultraviolet photometer investigated the ultraviolet reflective properties or emission from interplanetary hydrogen, helium and dust, and from Jupiter's atmosphere and satellites. It was hoped to provide data to resolve the origin of interplanetary neutral hydrogen and establish the boundaries of the heliosphere. From measurements of the interplanetary helium, experimenters hoped todetermine the percentage of this gas in the interstellar medium.

The ultraviolet photometer had a fixed viewing angle and uses the spin of the spacecraft to scan around the celestial sphere. When close to Jupiter, the photometer scaned the medium above the cloud tops. By measuring the changes in the intensity of ultraviolet light reflected into two photocathodes of the instrument -- one measuring radiation at 1216 Angstroms, the other at 584 Angstroms -- thephotometer detected light from hydrogen and helium respectively.

Within the Jovian system the photometer measured the scattering of solar ultraviolet light by the atmosphere of Jupiter. This scattering provided information on the amount of atomic hydrogen in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, the mixing rate of Jupiter's atmosphere, the amount of helium there, and therefore the ratio of helium to hydrogen at Jupiter. Prior to Pioneer 10's mission helium had notbeen identified at the planet.
more ...

×

Pioneer 11



Instrument Overview
===================
The ultraviolet photometer investigated the ultraviolet reflective properties or emission from interplanetary hydrogen, helium and dust, and from Jupiter's atmosphere and satellites. It was hoped to provide data to resolve the origin of interplanetary neutral hydrogen and establish the boundaries of the heliosphere. From measurements of the interplanetary helium, experimenters hoped todetermine the percentage of this gas in the interstellar medium.

The ultraviolet photometer had a fixed viewing angle and uses the spin of the spacecraft to scan around the celestial sphere. When close to Jupiter, the photometer scaned the medium above the cloud tops. By measuring the changes in the intensity of ultraviolet light reflected into two photocathodes of the instrument -- one measuring radiation at 1216 Angstroms, the other at 584 Angstroms -- thephotometer detected light from hydrogen and helium respectively.

Within the Jovian system the photometer measured the scattering of solar ultraviolet light by the atmosphere of Jupiter. This scattering provided information on the amount of atomic hydrogen in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, the mixing rate of Jupiter's atmosphere, the amount of helium there, and therefore the ratio of helium to hydrogen at Jupiter. Prior to Pioneer 10's mission helium had notbeen identified at the planet.

By measuring changes in the ultraviolet light glow the instrumentchecked to see if Jupiter has polar auroras.

['Instrument Overview' was adapted from FIMMELETAL pp. 56-57.]

The Planetary Plasma Interactions (PPI) Node of the Planetary Data System (PDS)





External Reference

 
  • Fimmel, R.O., W. Swindell, E. Burgess, Pioneer Odyssey, NASA SP-396, Scientific and Technical Information Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., 1977.
  • Judge, D.L., R.W. Carlson, F.M. Wu, and U.G. Hartmann, Pioneer 10 and 11 ultraviolet photometer observations of the Jovian satellites, in Jupiter, edited by T. Gehrel, p. 1068, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1976.
  • Privacy / Copyright
    Freedom of Information Act
    Web Master: PDS-PPI Operator
    NASA Official: Becky McCauley-Rench