ATM, Spectroheliograph, Film Magazine S-082A

This is a backup film magazine from extreme UV spectroheliograph (S082A), one of the major instruments on the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) from the Skylab mission. This experiment recorded monochromatic images on film of the sun at selected spectral ranges from 150 to 625 Angstroms. Four film cameras were flown on the ATM. As the film supply was used up the magazine was replaced by a fresh one by an astronaut during extravehicular activity. The suite of photographic ATM instruments provided spectral information of a quality comparable to ground-based observatories. Although photoelectric and electronographic scanning techniques were available at the time, they were not yet roibust enough to compete. The choice of film also required physical retrieval and on-board control, which provided a scientific rationale for this manned mission.

Transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1982.