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Unflown example of a far ultraviolet photometer and associated accessories of the type flown on Aerobee sounding rockets by the Aeronomy group at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL )

As part of its studies of the upper atmosphere the NRL sent specialized instruments to extreme altitudes on Aerobee sounding rockets. Maximum altitude for the rockets was close to 230 kilometers. This far ultraviolet photometer is representative of those sent up in rockets in about 1969 for observations of the Earth's nightglow, called the geocorona. This photometer was designed to detect the ultraviolet radiation emitted by hydrogen at the Lyman beta wavelength. A collimator and an indium filter to exclude stray signals guard the aperture of the tube. The conventional photomultiplier used for amplify the signal in the earlier photometers (catalogue #19760162000) has been replaced in this detector by the more sensitive Bendix product called a Chaneltron electron mutliplier tube.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type INSTRUMENTS-Scientific Manufacturer Bendix Corp.
Naval Research Laboratory
 Dimensions 3-D: 30.5 x 22.9 x 15.2cm (12 x 9 x 6 in.)
 Materials Mixed metals, electronics
 Inventory Number A19870163000 Credit Line Transferred from the Naval Research Laboratory Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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