The Electron Proton Helium INstrument as an Example for a Space Weather Radiation Instrument

TL;DR

This paper discusses the Electron Proton Helium INstrument (EPHIN) on SOHO, highlighting its data products, space weather applications, design features, lessons learned, and potential improvements for future space radiation detectors.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of EPHIN's development, performance, and applications, serving as a case study for designing future space weather radiation instruments.

Findings

EPHIN has provided continuous data since 1995 for space weather research.

Design features contributed to EPHIN's success and reliability.

Lessons learned inform improvements for next-generation detectors.

Abstract

The near-Earth energetic particle environment has been monitored since the 1970's. With the increasing importance of quantifying the radiation risk for, e.g. for the human exploration of the Moon and Mars, it is essential to continue and further improve these measurements. The Electron Proton Helium INstrument (EPHIN) on-board SOHO continually provides these data sets to the solar science and space weather communities since 1995. Here, we introduce the numerous data products developed over the years and present space weather related applications. Important design features that have led to EPHINs success as well as lessons learned and possible improvements to the instrument are also discussed with respect to the next generation of particle detectors.