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First direct magnetic field measurements of an asteroidal magnetic field: DS1 at Braille
Author(s) -
Richter I.,
Brinza D. E.,
Cassel M.,
Glassmeier K.H.,
Kuhnke F.,
Musmann G.,
Othmer C.,
Schwingenschuh K.,
Tsurutani B. T.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl012679
Subject(s) - asteroid , physics , braille , magnetometer , spacecraft , magnetic field , astrobiology , astronomy , computer science , quantum mechanics , operating system
Deep Space 1 (DS1) is the first interplanetary spacecraft (s/c) using ion propulsion and aims at investigating the compatibility of innovative technology with scientific measurements. DS1 performed a successful flyby at the asteroid Braille on July 29th, 1999. This closest‐ever encounter allowed for the first time a direct measurement of an asteroidal magnetic field. The manifold magnetic disturbances caused by the ion propulsion onboard DS1, however, required an elaborate data processing scheme in order to extract the magnetic signature of Braille. Its successful application to the magnetometer data of the asteroid flyby reveals a magnetic moment of 2.1 · 10 11 Am² for Braille.