Research project PX/8/SS/12 (Research action PX)
SOLSPEC (SOLar SPECtrum) is a space-qualified spectro-radiometer dedicated to the measurement of extraterrestrial solar spectral irradiances in absolute radiometric units. It is developed through collaboration between BISA, CNRS/SA (France, PI G. Thuillier) and Heidelberg Observatory (Germany, D. Labs). The most important scientific objectives are:
- The temporal climatology of the solar UV, VIS and IR irradiances during one solar cycle. The UV integrated irradiance is subject to changes of about 10 % during one solar cycle and a monitoring in an absolute radiometric scale is required. This 18 months (nominally, up to 3 years expected) of “in space” measurements of Solar irradiances in an absolute radiometric scale performed by SOLSPEC will be fundamental for the understanding of the different Solar cycles and for the comparison of the Space-ground-based data, with a potential improvement of the solar variation predictions.
- Contribution to atmospheric chemistry and climate. The photochemical processes induced by the solar UV radiation in the stratosphere are wavelength dependant. Thus, absolute measurements of solar UV spectral irradiance with high accuracy (2 %) are of critical importance. Any change of incoming UV radiation modifies the chemical budget of the atmosphere and therefore the temperature and the dynamics in the coupled stratospheric-tropospheric climate system.
Satellite(s) or flight opportunity(ies):
- Solar external payload on Columbus (ISS)
Field of research:
Space Sciences: Solar Physics / Earth Observation: Atmospheric Chemistry
