NSSDCA ID: 1974-077A-04
Mission Name: Ariel 5This experiment was a polarimeter/spectrometer operating in the 2- to 8-keV range. It used two large plane crystals, lithium hydride and graphite, in a Bragg spectrometer with a honeycomb collimator. It was mounted to view along the satellite spin axis and to examine the radiation of individual X-ray sources for possible polarization and/or the existence of line emissions. In a source of the brightness of the Crab nebula, a polarization of 2.5% could be detected. The experiment also conducted searches for pulsar activity. The nature of the experiment made it possible to examine the polarization of the pulsar itself by looking for different pulsar behavior in the separate polarization components.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. Brin A. Cooke | Other Investigator | University of Leicester | bac@star.le.ac.uk |
Dr. David J. Adams | Other Investigator | University of Leicester | dja@star.le.ac.uk |
Dr. R. E. Griffiths | Other Investigator | University of Leicester | |
Prof. Kenneth A. Pounds | Principal Investigator | University of Leicester | kap@star.le.ac.uk |