Object Details
Summary
This is a cross-grid detector element from an interim version of the X-ray imager intended for the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), named Chandra after launch. The detector included a microchannel plate that collected the x-rays, converting them to electrons and amplified them by orders of magnitude. The signal was picked up by the cross grid detector and its strength and location was used to build an image of the source. The X-Ray Astronomy group at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory designed and built this scaled-up version of the HRI on the way to building the imager that was installed on the final version of the AXAF which was named Chandra just before its launch. SAO transferred this detector to NASM in 2002.
Credit Line
Transferred from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Inventory Number
A20020290000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Materials
Plastic
Ceramic
Copper Alloy
Aluminum
Synthetic
Coating
Paper
Dimensions
3-D (Mounted Object): 15.2 × 15.2 × 3.8cm (6 × 6 × 1 1/2 in.)
3-D (Case Closed): 17.8 × 27.9 × 5.7cm (7 × 11 × 2 1/4 in.)
3-D (Case Opened): 34 × 27.9 × 4.1cm (1 ft. 1 3/8 in. × 11 in. × 1 5/8 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A20020290000