Venus Express Ground Observing Project (Forwarded)

ESA Science News
http://sci.esa.int

22 Feb 2006

Venus Express Ground Observing Project

The Venus Express Ground Observing Project (VEXGOP) is an opportunity to
contribute scientifically useful images and data to compliment the Venus
Express (VEX) spacecraft observations of Venus. The project will focus
on utilising the capabilities of advanced amateurs to obtain images of
the atmosphere of Venus; specifically filtered monochrome images
obtained with CCD based cameras in the 350nm to 1000nm (near
ultraviolet, visible and near infrared range).

The Venus Express (VEX) spacecraft will observe the planet Venus using
seven instruments for at least two Venusian years (1000 days) beginning
in May 2006. The instrument package includes the Venus Imaging Camera
(VMC), which will image the planet in the near-UV, visible and near-IR
range. Although VMC will provide much higher resolution images of the
planet than visible from Earth, continuous monitoring of the planet will
not be possible.

There may be periods, therefore, when parts of the planet are visible
from Earth that are not visible from the spacecraft (due to the
spacecraft position in orbit). Additionally it is important to compare
Earth-based observations with simultaneous spacecraft observations. In
particular this will allow us to extend our understanding of the
dynamics of Venus' atmosphere based on the VEX data to observations made
prior to the VEX mission, as well as after completion of VEX operations.

Objectives

The objectives of VEXGOP is to obtain high quality images of Venus
before, after and during VEX operations. Amateur astronomers, using CCD
based cameras with filters for specific band passes in the near
ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths (350nm to 1000nm),
are encouraged to participate in the gathering of images. Observation
campaigns will include:

* Routine images of Venus during each apparition
* Coordinated observations during specific periods of the VEX mission to
provide either simultaneous or complimentary ground based images to VEX
spacecraft observations

For more details go to:
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/obj...objectid=38833