Abstract

The imaging photopolarimeter aboard the Pioneer 10 spacecraft en route to the vicinity of Jupiter is described. This instrument is capable of moderate resolution spin-scan imaging and high precision polarimetric and photometric mapping of Jupiter in red and blue light. The field of view can be selectively changed from 0.50 mrad square to 40 mrad square to accommodate resolution and radiance combinations ranging from the zodiacal background to that of Jupiter. The dynamic range (radiance) of the instrument is greater than 10⁸. Optical materials were chosen to survive, with minimum degradation, the rigors of a nearly 2-year journey to Jupiter including transit through the Jovian trapped radiation belts. The optics are described in detail, and the operational system is outlined. The procedures for preflight and in-flight calibration are described, and some performance characteristics and preliminary flight results are presented.

© 1973 Optical Society of America

Rectification and enhancement of three severely distorted images of Jupiter’s north polar region

Robin N. Strickland and James J. Burke
Appl. Opt. 20(20) 3612-3618 (1981)

Infrared Radiometer for the Pioneer 10 and 11 Missions to Jupiter

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ISIS–II Atomic Oxygen Red Line Photometer

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Application of a Synthetic Aperture Optical System to Infrared Imaging

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