The Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI)
St. Cyr, O. C.; Plunkett, S. P.; Lamy, P. L.; Auchère, F.; Harrison, R. A.; Bothmer, V.; Thernisien, A. F.; Howard, R. A.; Patsourakos, S.; Stenborg, G.; Vourlidas, A.; Linker, J.; Korendyke, C. M.; Socker, D. G.; Wang, D.; Smith, L.; Rouillard, A.; Rich, N.; Liewer, P. C.; Colaninno, R. C.; Halain, J. -P.; Rochus, P.; Hunt, T.; McMullin, D. R.; Carter, M. T.; Lynch, S.; Thurn, A.; Chua, D.; Linton, M. G.; Koss, S.; Tun-Beltran, S.; Dennison, H.; Baugh, R.; Clifford, G.; Keller, D.; Janesick, J. R.; Tower, J.; Grygon, M.; Farkas, R.; Hagood, R.; Eisenhauer, K.; Uhl, A.; Yerushalmi, S.; Velli, M. C.; Gilbert, H.; Maldonado, H.; Mariano, C.; Cerullo, J.
United States, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Greece
Abstract
Aims: We present the design and pre-launch performance of the Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) which is an instrument prepared for inclusion in the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission, currently scheduled for launch in 2020.
Methods: The goal of this paper is to provide details of the SoloHI instrument concept, design, and pre-flight performance to give the potential user of the data a better understanding of how the observations are collected and the sources that contribute to the signal.
Results: The paper discusses the science objectives, including the SoloHI-specific aspects, before presenting the design concepts, which include the optics, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and ground processing. Finally, a list of planned data products is also presented.
Conclusions: The performance measurements of the various instrument parameters meet or exceed the requirements derived from the mission science objectives. SoloHI is poised to take its place as a vital contributor to the science success of the Solar Orbiter mission.