The Solar Disk Sextant (SDS) is a balloon-borne instrument whose objective is to measure the solar diameter, at different orientations, as a function of time. Results include the solar oblateness, the oscillation spectrum for use in helioseismology, and the rate of the secular variation of the solar diameter. The required instrumentation precision (a few milliarcsec) is attained by means of an objective beam splitting wedge which produces multiples solar images through consecutive reflections.
Balloon launched on: 9/30/1992 at 12:58 utc
Launch site: Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, Fort Sumner, (NM), US
Balloon launched by: National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon N40I-8/8T-11.62
Balloon serial number: R11.62-1-113
Flight identification number: 345N
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/30/1992 at 23:05 utc
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): ~ 10 h
Landing site: 13 miles SW of Quanah, Texas, US
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