Stellar spectral flux calibration of auroral H‐beta photometer signal and background channels. Issue 1 (24th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackel, Brian J.; Unick, Craig
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 122:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1400
• Page End: 1409
• Publication Date: 2017-01-24
• Subjects: aurora -- calibration -- proton -- H‐beta -- photometer; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022673
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: Observations of optical aurora typically require the operation of sensitive instruments at remote field sites. Absolute radiometric calibration of these devices is essential for quantitative comparison over time and with other measurements. In this study we present absolute calibration of a proton auroral photometer using star transits observed during regular data collection. This requires absolute flux spectra with sufficient resolution to account for structure in stellar H β absorption line profiles. Several flux spectral catalogs are combined and corrected for systematic differences. The resulting estimates of instrumental sensitivity are consistent with darkroom calibration to roughly 15%. Key Points: Absolute flux calibration of auroral H‐beta photometer is feasible Existing astronomical catalogs are good but have some inconsistencies and other limitations Atmospheric effects are often dominant and difficult to determine