The mobile imaging platform

In order to improve the coverage close to the Tromsø magnetic field line, a van was equipped with a small dome as seen in Figure A.9.

Figure A.9: Left: Exterior view of the mobile imaging platform. Right: Interior view of the mobile GLIP. The Imager assembly is mounted under the dome, on top of the rack. Below, a computer monitor, the FWC, keyboard, NIPU, computer and external disks can be seen.

The ALIS imager, camera-controller, filter-wheel controller, NIPU and station computer were installed inside the van (Figure A.9). In this case the imager was fixed in zenith so no camera positioning system was required. Since the van was manned during the observations, no housekeeping unit, power distribution unit, communications, etc. were required. However if an unmanned, remote-controlled configuration had been desired, this equipment could easily have been installed. A mobile generator was also included, so the station was independent of mains power. This station operated with good results in the years 1999-2003.