Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is the first of a series of experimental silicon target phototubes used by James Westphal and his group for astronomical imaging. This vacuum tube was initially developed and manufactured at the Bell Laboratories for use with telephone picture phones. It consists of a Vidicon imaging tube, similar to those used for TV, in which the photosensitive front image target has been replaced by a silicon photodiode. The back of the target is scanned by beam of electrons; these create a current when they meet an area of the target that has been exposed to light. This current is then converted electronically into an image. The SIDAC, which was quite sensitive and had a wide dynamic range, was used to study the planets.

The California Institute of Technology donated this to the Museum in 1983.

 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 EQUIPMENT-Electronics Manufacturer Bell Laboratories
 Dimensions 3-D (Box): 19.7 × 9.5 × 5.1cm (7 3/4 × 3 3/4 × 2 in.)
3-D (Image Sensor): 17.8 × 3.5 × 3.5cm (7 × 1 3/8 × 1 3/8 in.)
 Materials Cardboard.
Coating
Glass
Copper Alloy
Aluminum
Coating
Synthetic
 Inventory Number A19840034000 Credit Line Gift of the California Institute of Technology Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.