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2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Development of infrared imaging devices for the observation of planetary atmosphere

Research Project

Project/Area Number 13440142
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Space and upper atmospheric physics
Research InstitutionInstitute of Space and Astronautical Science (2002)
The University of Tokyo (2001)

Principal Investigator

NAKAMURA Masato  Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Basic Space Science, Professor, 共通基礎研究系, 教授 (20227937)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) SUGITA Seiji  Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Faculty of Science Research Associated, 大学院・理学系研究科, 助手 (80313203)
IMAMURA Takeshi  Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Planetary Science Associate Professor, 惑星研究系, 助教授 (40311170)
IWAGAMI Naomoto  Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Faculty of Science Associate Professor, 大学院・理学系研究科, 助教授 (30143374)
Project Period (FY) 2001 – 2002
KeywordsVenus Atmosphere / Infrared detector
Research Abstract

The motion of the atmosphere of Venus at the altitude of less than 70km has not been studied because it is prevented by the thick cloud layer. But it became possible to observe the motion of lower clouds and surface of Venus after infrared ray turned out to pass through the thick cloud layer. We aimed at the observation of the motion of the atmosphere using Venusian clouds and surface as tracers by the infrared camera in the spacecraft orbiting around Venus. This approach will be the first one in the world.
In this study, we developed the imaging device and optical system for infrared camera which can be used in the exploration of Venus and also future exploration of another planet. It is especially important to develop the imaging device and optical system in two bands, near-infrared region (1-3μm) and mid-infrared region (8-12μm). The former corresponds to the emission from the bottom of clouds (at the altitude of 50-70km), which enables us to observe the motion of the atmosphere. On the contrary, the latter corresponds to the thermal radiation from the top of clouds. As a result, it turned out to be best to use PtSi Schottky device in near infrared region and bolometer array in mid-infrared region as radioresistant imaging device. Schottky device needs to be cooled to 60K, and one stage Stirling cooler proved to be able to accomplish it.
This research is relatively close to the development of infrared observation spacecraft in astronomical field. In this field, the technology which reduces a thermal noise to the minimum by cooling the infrared device has been improved for the observation of far, dark stars or young planetary system. But, if it is installed to planetary exploration spacecraft, it will be prolonged exposure to the radiation and also the much harsher heat condition than ground-based astronomical observations. In this time, the development of the infrared device suitable for the planetary orbiter was needed, and it was sufficiently achieved.

  • Research Products

    (12 results)

All Other

All Publications (12 results)

  • [Publications] T.Imamura, G.L.Hashimoto: "Microphysics of Venusian clouds in rising tropical air"J. Atmos. Sci. 58. 3597-3612 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] G.L.Hashimoto, I.Imamura: "Elucidating the rate of volcanism on Venus : Detection of lava eruptions using near-infrared observations"Icarus. 154. 239-243 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] 今村剛, 松田佳久, 中村正人, 山中大学, 金星探査ワーキング: "金星大気探査計画について"気象. 48. 499-504 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] 中村正人, 今村剛: "日本の金星大気探査ミッション"遊星人. 10(3). (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] 松田佳久, 今村剛: "金星大気の謎にせまる日本の金星探査計画"科学. 71(9). 1162-1164 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] T.Imamura, G.L.Hashimoto: "H2S04 cycle in the Venusian tropical atmosphere as constrained by a microphysical cloud model"Adv. Snpace. Res. 29(2). 249-254 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] T. Imamura, and G. L Hashimoto: "Microphysics of Venusian clouds in rising tropical air."J. Atmos. Sci. 58. 3597-3612 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] G. L. Hashimoto, and T. Imamura: "Elucidating the rate of volcanism on Venus : Detection of lava eruptions using near-infrared observations."Icarus. 154. 239-243 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] T. Imamura, Y. Matsuda, M. Nakamura, and D. Yamanaka: "Japanese Venus Atmospheric mission"Kisho. 48. 499-502 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] M. Nakamura, and T. Imamura: "Japanese Venus atmospheric mission"Yuseijin. 10(3). (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Y. Matsuda, and T. Imamura: "Revealing the mystery of Venusian atmosphere by Japanese Venus mission"Kagaku. 71(9). (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] T. Imamura, and G. L. Hashimoto: "H2SO4 cycle in the Venusian tropical atmosphere as constrained by a microphysical cloud model"Adv. Space Res.. 29(2). 249-254 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

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Published: 2004-04-14  

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