Instruments

The spacecraft carried various instruments that carry out many scientific investigations. The list of instruments carried is as follows;

Imaging Science Subsystem---ISS Narrow Angle Camera and ISS Wide Angle Camera

The ISS is an enhanced version of the slow scan camera designs that were used in the earlier Mariner flights. It is used to observe the movement of the atmosphere of the planet, its atmospheric composition, and examine the wind velocities.

Plasma Investigation---"PLS"

The PLS is used for detecting lowest-energy particles - plasma. It can also look for particles moving at particular speeds and can also determine the direction from which they come. It is also used to study the properties and the directions from where the solar wind evolves and also examines the interaction between the solar winds and Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune .  

Cosmic Ray Subsystem---"CRS"

The CRS studies very energetic particles in plasma. It has the highest sensitivity and can detect three particles. It enables measurement of the energy spectrum of electrons from 3 to 110 MeV.  

Magnetometer---"MAG" High Field and Low Field

The MAG can sense some of the effects of the solar wind on the outer planets and moons. However, its most important work is to measure changes in the Sun's magnetic field with respect to distance and time. It determines whether, all outer planets have a magnetic field. It also studies the interaction between the moons and rings of the outer planets and the magnetic fields.  

Ultraviolet Spectrometer---"UVS"

The UVS is a very special type of light meter. It is sensitive to ultraviolet light. The instrument finds specific colors of ultraviolet light that are emitted by certain elements and compounds.  

Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer and Radiometer---"IRIS"

The IRIS actually functions as three separate instruments. First, as a very sophisticated thermometer, as it is capable of analyzing the distribution of heat energy, emitted by a body. This helps scientists to determine the temperature of that body or substance. Second, the IRIS can detect the presence of certain types of elements or compounds in an atmosphere or on a surface. Third, it uses a separate radiometer to measure the total amount of sunlight reflected by a body.  

Photopolarimeter Subsystem

The Photopolarimeter Subsystem uses a 0.2 m telescope fitted with filters and polarization analyzers. It detects eight wavelengths in the region between 235 nm and 750 nm.  

Low-Energy Charged Particle Detector---"LECP"

The LECP tries to detect particles of higher energy that the PLS is unable to.

Target Plate

The target plate is a flat rectangle of known color and brightness. It is attached to the spacecraft. This helps the instruments on the movable platform to point to a target in order to study it.