Andrew Yee
February 22nd 06, 06:45 PM
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/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=38833
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/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=38833