The High Energy Telescope for STEREO

• Published in: Space science reviews Vol. 136; no. 1-4; pp. 391 - 435
• Main Authors: von Rosenvinge, T. T., Reames, D. V., Baker, R., Hawk, J., Nolan, J. T., Ryan, L., Shuman, S., Wortman, K. A., Mewaldt, R. A., Cummings, A. C., Cook, W. R., Labrador, A. W., Leske, R. A., Wiedenbeck, M. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerospace Technology and Astronautics; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Corona; Kinetic energy; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Planetology; Scientific apparatus & instruments; Solar physics; Space exploration; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Spacecraft; Telemetry; Telescopes; Space instrumentation; 96.50.Vg; STEREO mission; Coronal mass ejections; 96.50.Pw; 96.60.ph; Particle acceleration; Energetic particles
• ISSN: 0038-6308; 1572-9672
• DOI: 10.1007/s11214-007-9300-5

The IMPACT investigation for the STEREO Mission includes a complement of Solar Energetic Particle instruments on each of the two STEREO spacecraft. Of these instruments, the High Energy Telescopes (HETs) provide the highest energy measurements. This paper describes the HETs in detail, including the scientific objectives, the sensors, the overall mechanical and electrical design, and the on-board software. The HETs are designed to measure the abundances and energy spectra of electrons, protons, He, and heavier nuclei up to Fe in interplanetary space. For protons and He that stop in the HET, the kinetic energy range corresponds to ∼13 to 40 MeV/n. Protons that do not stop in the telescope (referred to as penetrating protons) are measured up to ∼100 MeV/n, as are penetrating He. For stopping He, the individual isotopes 3 He and 4 He can be distinguished. Stopping electrons are measured in the energy range ∼0.7–6 MeV.