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Instrument: EPACT : Energetic Particles: Acceleration, Composition and Transport (WIND) |
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Associated Platforms WIND Spectral/Frequency Information Wavelength Keyword: Gamma Ray Number Channels: 3 Spectral/Frequency Coverage/Range: 0.1 - 500 MeV Related Data Sets View all records related to this instrument Description The Energetic Particle Acceleration, Composition, and Transport (EPACT) investigation on WIND will provide a comprehensive study of energetic particle acceleration and transport processes in solar flares, the interplanetary medium, and planetary magnetospheres, as well as the galactic cosmic rays and the anomalous cosmic ray component. EPACT measurements will determine elemental and isotopic abundances for the minor ions making up the solar wind, with energies in excess of 20keV. This direct sampling of solar matter is a way to study events on the solar surface and the incorporation of solar material into the solar wind. EPACT will also provide information on shocks in the interplanetary medium, which accelerate particles from solar-wind energies to several hundred keV. The EPACT instrument consists of three integrated telescope/electronics boxes mounted on the body of the spacecraft. The extensive dynamic range of particles to be measured is divided between three Low Energy Matrix Telescopes (LEMT), two Alpha-Proton-Electron Telescopes (APE), an Isotope Telescope (IT), and a Supra Thermal Energetic Particle Telescope (STEP). The APE and IT instruments are contained in a single package known as the Electron Isotope Telescope (ELITE). These solid state detector telescopes all use the dE/dx by E method of particle identification, except STEP, which obtains particle mass by measuring time-of flight and energy. An onboard recorder allows continuous observations to be made. For more information, see: http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/gamcosray/lecr/EPACT/epact.html Online Resources http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/gamcosray/lecr/EPACT/epact.html Instrument Logistics Instrument Start Date: 1994-11-01 Instrument Owner: NASA |
