New Horizons LEISA: Calibrated Pluto Encounter Spectral Images, V3.0

Version 3.0 of the calibrated data set from the New Horizons spacecraft's Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) instrument during the Pluto encounter phase. The data includes observations from the Approach (January-July 2015), Encounter, Departure, and Transition sub-phases, completing all Pluto mission phase deliveries for LEISA. Updates include data downlinked through late October 2016, multi-map approach observations, moon observations, high-resolution departure data, and calibration campaign tests.

Use Cases

• Analyze surface composition of Pluto and its moons based on spectral imagery data.
• Calibrate remote sensing instruments using the included calibration campaign test data.
• Study temporal changes on Pluto using multi-map observations from the Approach phase.
• Validate spectral data processing pipelines using the updated calibration files and full-frame products.

Strengths

• Completes the delivery of all LEISA data covering the Pluto Encounter and subsequent Calibration Campaign.
• Includes high-resolution departure observations and functional calibration tests like scans across the detector of Arcturus.
• Data were re-run through the pipeline with updated calibration files, affecting all calibrated data products.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data collected by the New Horizons Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) instrument.

Time Range

Approach phase (January-July 2015) through late October 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:23:30.191034; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Pluto system, including moons Charon, Nix, Hydra, and Kerberos.