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This is one of three original electroscopes used by the Austrian scientist Victor Hess during his balloon ascensions to measure ionizing radiation in the atmosphere in the period from 1911 to 1913. This instrument is a version of a commercial model of a Wulff electroscope especially modified by its manufacturer, Günther & Tegetmeyer (mfr. number 4760), to take into account operating under reduced pressure at high altitudes. Data collected by Hess led him to the conclusion that the radiation was of extra-terrestrial origin. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1936 for this discovery of what came to be known as cosmic rays. Hess immigrated to the U.S. in 1938 where he became a professor at Fordham University. The electroscope was donated to NASM by Fordham in 1990.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Country of Origin

Germany

Type

INSTRUMENTS-Scientific

Manufacturer

Günther & Tegetmeyer

Dimensions

3-D (Overall): 25.4 × 14.3 × 14.6cm, 2.7kg (10 × 5 5/8 × 5 3/4 in., 6lb.)

Materials

Overall - metal, black finish, few markings. Wooden base

Inventory Number

A19910023000

Credit Line

Gift of Fordham University

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

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