Proc. 42th International Instrument Symposium, p. 17−23, 1996
© Instrument Society of America
The Solar Mass Ejection Imager
B.V. Jackson, A. Buffington, P.L. Hick
Center for Astrophysics and Space Science,s University of California, La Jolla, CA, USA
G.M. Simnett
School of Physics and Space Research, Univ. of Birmingham, Edgebaston, Birmingham, UK
S.W. Kahler
Phillips Laboratory/GPSG, Hanscom AFB, MA, USA
S.L. Keil
Phillips Laboratory/GPSS, NSO/SP, Sunspot, NM, USA
D.F. Webb
ISR, Boston College, Newton Center, MA, USA
Abstract
We are designing a Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) capable of observing
Thomson-scattered signals from transient density features in the heliosphere
from a spacecraft situated near 1 AU. The imager is designed to trace
features, which include coronal mass ejections, corotating structures and
shock waves, to elongations greater than 90° from the Sun. An imager at
Earth could allow up to three days warning of the arrival of a mass ejection
from the Sun. The instrument can be regarded as a progeny of the heliospheric
imaging capability shown possible by the zodiacal light photometers of the
HELIOS spacecraft. The instrument we are designing must utilize one of the
most advanced baffle systems yet devised to eliminate sunlight from its
wide field of view. In addition, the instrument must couple the wide
field of view to a CCD camera so that the small percentage variations of the
Thomson-scattered signals can be detected relative to a much brighter
zodiacal light and stellar background.