Analysis of EPT and SATRAM data for the assessment of the use of radiation monitor data for space weather purposes

Abstract

Science-class particle spectrometers such as the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT) provide detailed measurements of particle flux and energy spectra which are necessary for studies of space weather and its causes and effects. Radiation monitors are very common instruments record basic radiation flux and dose rate statistics, normally used to warn of hazardous conditions in space. Despite their relatively inexpensive deployment and resulting widespread usage, such monitors are rarely regarded as science instruments; the Space Application of Timepix-based RAdiation Monitor (SATRAM) is one project which examines this possibility. SATRAM and EPT are both deployed on the PROBA-V satellite, meaning their data products can be directly compared – this work sets out to do that. The necessary conditions for side-by-side comparisons of the two instruments are established, and methods for visualising the data and comparing it qualitatively are developed. A detailed examination is made of the observed differences between the flux measurements of the two telescopes, including calibration factors to help mitigate these differences and potential sources of error which could be resolved by future work. Finally, two case studies of space weather events are presented, demonstrating how each instrument differs but is effective in recording such events. It is shown that EPT and SATRAM already have workable complementarities. In addition, suggestions for future improvement of the processing techniques are given, which arise from the direct comparison of the two instruments.