NSSDCA ID: 1973-027A-02
Mission Name: SkylabThe objectives of this experiment were to take UV photographs of young and hot stars, nebulae, interstellar dust, and stellar gas shells in large areas of the Milky Way, and evaluate large numbers of spectra for spectral classes, temperatures, and compositions of stars, using a reflecting telescope and an objective prism in front of a 35 mm camera. The telescope had a 15-cm reflecting mirror. Several different prisms could be inserted in front of the telescope, depending on the desired spectral resolution and sensitivity. The instrument was sensitive in the spectral region from 1400 to 3000 A. The instrument was mounted in the antisolar airlock of the orbital workshop, and the telescope looked at different portions of the sky by means of a movable flat mirror. Photographs were taken only while Skylab was on the dark side of its orbit. The image of each star was drawn out into a small spectrum. About fifty 4 x 5 deg star fields were observed during each of the three Skylab missions. Details could be resolved to about 20 arc-s. Films were developed and evaluated on the ground. For more details, see F. G. O'Callaghan, K. G. Henize, and J. D. Wray, App. Opt., v. 16, p. 973, 1977.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. James D. Wray | Other Investigator | University of Texas, Austin | jwray@scitechastro.com |
Dr. Karl G. Henize | Principal Investigator | NASA Johnson Space Center |