EUNIS: a solar EUV normal-incidence spectrometer

Roger J. Thomas; Joseph M. Davila

doi:10.1117/12.450072

10 December 2001 EUNIS: a solar EUV normal-incidence spectrometer

Roger J. Thomas, Joseph M. Davila

Proceedings Volume 4498, UV/EUV and Visible Space Instrumentation for Astronomy and Solar Physics; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.450072
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

GSFC is in the process of assembling a solar EUV Normal-Incidence Spectrometer called EUNIS, to be flown as a sounding rocket payload. This instrument builds on the many technical innovations pioneered by our highly successful SERTS experiment over its past ten flights. The new design has improved spatial and spectral resolutions, as well as 100 times greater sensitivity, permitting EUV spectroscopy with a temporal resolution near 1 second for the first time ever. To achieve such high time cadence, a novel Active-Pixel-Sensor detector is being developed as a key component of our design. The high sensitivity of EUNIS allows entirely new studies of transient coronal phenomena, such as the rapid loop dynamics seen by TRACE, and searches for non-thermal motions indicative of magnetic reconnection or wave heating. The increased sensitivity also permits useful EUV spectra at heights of 2-3 solar radii above the limb, where the transition between the static corona and the solar wind might occur. In addition, the new design features two independent optical systems, more than doubling the spectral bandwidth covered on each flight. Its 300-370A bandpass includes He II 304A and strong lines from Fe XI-XVI, extending the current SERTS range of 300-355A to further improve our ongoing series of calibration under-flights for SOHO/CDS and EIT. The second bandpass of 170-205A has a sequence of very strong Fe IX-XIII lines, and allows under-flight support for two more channels on SOHO/EIT, two channels on TRACE, one on Solar-B/EIS, and all four channels on the STEREO/EUVI instrument. First flight of the new EUNIS payload is presently scheduled for 2002 October.

Citation Download Citation

Roger J. Thomas and Joseph M. Davila "EUNIS: a solar EUV normal-incidence spectrometer", Proc. SPIE 4498, UV/EUV and Visible Space Instrumentation for Astronomy and Solar Physics, (10 December 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.450072

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