| Project/Area Number |
17540266
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Particle/Nuclear/Cosmic ray/Astro physics
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| Research Institution | Tokai University |
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Principal Investigator |
NISHIJIMA Kyoshi Tokai University, School of Science, Professor, 理学部, 教授 (40202238)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
KUSHIDA Junko Tokai University, School of Science, Assistant Professor, 理学部, 講師 (80366020)
KAWACHI Akiko Tokai University, School of Science, Associate Professor, 理学部, 助教授 (70332591)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2005 – 2006
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| Project Status |
Completed (Fiscal Year 2006)
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| Budget Amount *help |
¥3,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥2,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,600,000)
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| Keywords | cloud monitor / infrared camera / gamma rays / Cherennkov telescope / CANGAROO / cosmic rays / particle acceleration / non-thermal emission |
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| Research Abstract |
For the observations of very high energy gamma rays with the ground based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope, clouds significantly affect making observation schedule, observation efficiency and the quality of the data. So the purpose of this research is to develop and fabricate an all-sky infrared camera to monitor clouds constantly and record them objectively.
We used an optical system which consists of a combination of a commercially available infrared camera using an uncooled focal plane array whose spectral response is 8 to 14 μm with a convex mirror reflector and a secondary mirror in order to widen the viewing angle to whole sky, which is based on the mid-infrared camera developed and put practical use by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. An image acquisition is remotely controlled by GUI on the pc through a custom-made 45 m length RS-232 Cable. After an appropriate calibration, we can obtain clear images only by making an adjustment of gain with auto offset mode. In the night, we can see faint clouds on the monitor disply which are invisible to the naked eye. In addition, by one-dimensional slice of digitized data, the position and the relative thickness of clouds are clearly recognized. We confirmed the system works properly during continuous running test of nine days under extremely hot circumstances over 40 degree in the desert.
We developed and fabricate an all-sky infrared cloud monitor, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the system, which is expected to provide the improvement of the data quality and effective scheduling management.
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