Photomultiplier for optically probing Comet Halley

Abstract

A low mass eight-color channel photopolarimeter was developed for the Giotto spacecraft. Utilizing the spin of the spacecraft, a multichannel plate photomultiplier, and a unique optical design, the instrument required no moving parts to measure color and linear polarization. The photopolarimeter collected data as the spacecraft passed through the coma of Comet Halley on March 13 and 14, 1986. This instrument's design, calibration, and reduction are discussed and some final results are presented.