The University of Chicago Cosmic Ray Electrons and Nuclei Experiment on the H Spacecraft

Abstract

The University of Chicago instrument on the Heliocentric spacecraft (MEH experiment) will measure the energy spectrum of cosmic electrons in the range 5-400 MeV. In addition, the energy spectra and relative abundances of nuclei from protons to the iron group, with energies ranging from 30 MeV/n to 15 GeV/n, will be determined. Primary scientific objectives involve the study of the long and short term variability of these components as a probe of the structure of the heliosphere. Particles are identified by multiparameter analysis using the pulse height analized signals from eight active detectors-silicon solid state, plastic and crystal scintillators are solid and gas Cerenkov counters. Data return is optimized by a three level priority logic scheme.