Solar Particle Alert Network
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| - | [[Image:SPAN.jpg|none||frame|size 1200x600px|SPAN Site: Behind the Security Hut (on left) are the Riometer antenna back-plane masts; centre is SPAN building with telescope dome on the roof; and to the right back is the Radio Telescope dome just behind the ??? dome. Far distant right is the R&RR VHF antenna. The Town of Carnarvon can be seen on the far horizon.]]{{SideMenuSPAN}} | + | {{SideMenuSPAN}} |
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| + | The Solar Particle Alert Network (SPAN) observatory, installed early in 1965, was critical to the safety of the Apollo astronauts. The study of the relationship between sunspot activity and intense solar flares would hopefully enable NASA to predict radiation hazards to astronauts on Apollo missions. | ||
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| + | The three NASA multiple-telescope observatories (Boulder, USA; Canary Islands; and Carnarvon) were spaced at approximately 120° intervals around the world. They maintained continuous 24-hour monitoring of the sun with real-time reporting of flare activity, assisted by an observatory at Houston and four other observatories contracted to NASA. Several other observatories, associated with the Solar Forecast Centre, also contributed data to SPAN Control. | ||
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| + | [[Image:SPAN.jpg|none||frame|size 1200x600px|SPAN Site: Behind the Security Hut (on left) are the Riometer antenna back-plane masts; centre is SPAN building with telescope dome on the roof; and to the right back is the Radio Telescope dome just behind the ??? dome. Far distant right is the R&RR VHF antenna. The Town of Carnarvon can be seen on the far horizon.]] | ||
Revision as of 07:47, 2 December 2006
SPAN systems
Back to Station Equipment
The Solar Particle Alert Network (SPAN) observatory, installed early in 1965, was critical to the safety of the Apollo astronauts. The study of the relationship between sunspot activity and intense solar flares would hopefully enable NASA to predict radiation hazards to astronauts on Apollo missions.
The three NASA multiple-telescope observatories (Boulder, USA; Canary Islands; and Carnarvon) were spaced at approximately 120° intervals around the world. They maintained continuous 24-hour monitoring of the sun with real-time reporting of flare activity, assisted by an observatory at Houston and four other observatories contracted to NASA. Several other observatories, associated with the Solar Forecast Centre, also contributed data to SPAN Control.
