Mariner Radiation Experiments
Monday, April 18, 2016 - 13:11
in Astronomy & Space
Mariner II carried two experiments designed to measure the charged-particle radiation in space, including galactic cosmic rays and streams of high-energy particles which are released intermittently from the sun. Virtually continuous measurements of the particle fluxes in space were made by the instruments throughout the 109-day journey to Venus and during the passage near the planet on December 14, and additional data have been received for approximately 10 hours per day since that time.