Multiwavelength Astronomy Multimedia


Title

XRS-2

Description

The XRS (X-ray Spectrometer) originated from Harvey's early ideas. This image shows the the second XRS in its front-end assembly which is filled with helium to keep the detector extrememly cold. The small, silvery blocking filter at the center of the image prevents optical, ultraviolet, and infrared light from entering the detector behind it, but allows X-rays to pass through. XRS-2 was launched on the Japanese spacecraft Suzaku in 2005, but it failed after launch. The first of the spectrometers, XRS-1, launched on the Astro-E spacecraft in 2000, but the launch failed and the spacecraft was destroyed.

Subject

  • X-ray Spectrometer
  • XRS-2
  • Detector

Credits

NASA/GSFC

Type

Photographic

Associated Lesson

X-ray Tools

This material is based upon work supported by NASA under Grant Nos. NNX09AD33G and NNX10AE80G issued through the SMD ROSES 2009 Program.

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