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- [Source: EUMETSAT, http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Satellites/Metop/Instruments/SP_201005316199936?l=en
The Space Environmental Monitor (SEM-2) is a multi-channel, charged-particle spectrometer that provides measurements to determine the intensity of the Earth's radiation belts and the flux of charged particles at the satellite altitude. It provides knowledge of solar terrestrial phenomena and also provides warnings of solar wind occurrences that may impair long-range communication; high-altitude operations; cause damage to satellite circuits and solar panels, or cause changes in drag and magnetic torque on satellites.
The SEM-2 instrument is one of the non-meteorological instruments on Metop. It has been added to the set of American instruments in order to guarantee NASA/NOAA a continuity in the determination of auroral activity — intensities of charged particle radiation within the Earth's atmosphere that can degrade radio communications (occasionally making short wave radio communication impossible in the polar regions); occasionally disrupt the proper operation of satellite systems, and, when intensities are high, increase the radiation dose to astronauts in space.
The Space Environment Center (SEC) processes the particle counts received from Metop and monitors solar activity and the state of the Earth's near space environment. Warnings are issued to advisories and forecasts of conditions are relayed to customers whose systems are affected.
Group: Instrument_Details
Entry_ID: SEM
Group: Instrument_Identification
Instrument_Category: Solar/Space Observing Instruments
Instrument_Class: Particle Detectors
Instrument_Type: SEM
Short_Name: SEM
Long_Name: Space Environment Monitor
End_Group
Group: Associated_Platforms
Short_Name: METOP-B
End_Group
Online_Resource: http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Satellites/Metop/Instruments/SP_201005316199936?l=en
End_Group
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