Pencil on paper drawing of Comet Kohoutek made by Astronaut E. G. Gibson during the Skylab 3 mission. Gibson, the science specialist and pilot for the third manned Skylab visit, is a solar physicist and focused on the astronomical experiments. He took the opportunity to observe the comet visually through different windows in Skylab during the 84-day mission, supplementing electronographic images taken by various Skylab telescopes.
This is one of a suite of drawings; labeled "early observation" it depicts the comet approaching perihelion passage, predicted for December 28th 1973, some ten days before that date. The full suite of over a dozen drawings and renderings was split between the space science collection and the art collection after it was donated by the Aerospace Corporation.
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
LITERATURE AND RESEARCH-Drawings & Blueprints (Archives)
Artist
Edward G. Gibson
Dimensions
2-D - Unframed (H x W): 22.2 × 38.7cm (8 3/4 × 15 1/4 in.)
Storage: 43.8 × 27.3cm (17 1/4 × 10 3/4 in.)
Materials
Paper
Plastic
Graphite Pencil
Ink
Inventory Number
A19761580000
Credit Line
Gift of the Aerospace Corporation
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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