HiCaz - Sun Position Detector
Hicaz uses 16 light sensors each separated by 22.5 degrees in a circular pattern to determine Hical3's orientation with respect to the sun. The light sensors are exposed to the sun via small apertures inside a white cylindrical case. Calibrated by an in lab light source, Hicaz's angular calculation has been shown to accurately predict its orientation with respect to the sun within 2.5 degrees at ground level in Lawrence.
Hicaz is an important part of Hical3 that aids in understanding the signals received by the PUEO main instrument from the Hical3 pulser. Hicaz is affixed atop Hical3's electronics pressure vessel alongside a GPS antenna. When combined with the timestamp and coordinates of the GPS antenna, Hicaz's solar orientation is used to determine the orientation of Hical3's transmitting antennas with respect to PUEO. Since the signals of Hical3's dipole have been shown to be dependent on their angle with respect to the Toyon receiver antennas on PUEO, this information is important in characterizing Hical3's signals.
Dave Besson is PI of this project.
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