Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager

The Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager ( RHESSI ) (also Explorer 81) is a space telescope of NASA with participation of other U.S. and Swiss banks and is used to observe the Sun in X-ray and gamma-ray range. In this high-energy electromagnetic radiation solar corona and solar flares are observed and investigated the physical mechanisms of particle acceleration in these events ( the reconnection ).

Purpose

RHESSI observed the sun in X-ray and gamma-ray range at energies from 3 keV to 17 MeV. By a system of Gitterkollimatoren in conjunction with the rotation of the spin-stabilized satellite, the sun can be examined with a resolution depending on the energy range 2 to 36 seconds of arc. The cooled semiconductor detectors used have an energy resolution of 1 keV at low and 5 keV at high energies. This combination of high spatial and spectral resolution is realized for the first time in this energy range with RHESSI. In addition to the observation of the Sun RHESSI also examined gamma radiation pulses are generated in storm regions on the earth.

Mission History

The launch took place on 5 February 2002 with an airborne Pegasus rocket. The carrier aircraft type L -1011 took off at 19:29 UTC from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station from. The release took place at 20:58 drop in the Mayport area off the Florida coast at 29 ° N, 78.5 ° West29 - 78.5.

The previously known as High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager ( HESSI ) satellite was renamed on 29 March 2002 in honor of astrophysicist Reuven Ramaty. The original useful life was two years, the mission but was extended and is still ongoing.