This is a flight spare proportional counter from the SAS-1/Uhuru satellite. The rectangular box is filled with gas, and has a window at one end to admit X-rays. These rays ionize the gas allowing a charge to transfer from the casing to a central anode wire. The height of the resulting output pulse is proportional to the energy of the incident X-ray. The Uhuru satellite, launched in 1970, was the first earth-orbiting spacecraft dedicated exclusively to X-ray astronomy.
This counter was transferred to NASM by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in 2002.
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
United States of America
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Manufacturer
American Science & Engineering, Incorporated
Dimensions
3-D: 51.4 × 5.1 × 5.1cm, 0.6kg (1 ft. 8 1/4 in. × 2 in. × 2 in., 1.4lb.)
Materials
Aluminum
Steel
Coating
Synthetic
Inventory Number
A20020295000
Credit Line
Transferred from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Harvard University.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.