The Zodiacal Light Observations with the MIRIS

  • Published : 2011.04.05

Abstract

The main payload of the Science and Technology Satellite 3 (STSAT-3), Multipurpose Infrared Imaging System (MIRIS), will be equipped with the wide-field near-infrared camera. Its wide field-of-view ($3.67^{\circ}{\times}3.67^{\circ}$) is optimal for the observation of the zodiacal light (ZL), the sunlight scattered by the interplanetary dust (IPD). The MIRIS will continuously monitor the seasonal variation of the ZL towards both north and south ecliptic poles, which is caused by the asymmetries of the IPD distribution with respect to the Sun and the ecliptic plane. In addition to the monitoring observations, we are planning pointed observations for compelling structures in the ZL, the asteroidal dust bands and the gegenschein. This presentation proposes the zodiacal light observations with the MIRIS and discusses the expected results.

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