Contamination affecting Chandra instrument
Posted: Fri, Nov 7, 2003, 8:22 AM ET (1322 GMT)
A layer of contamination is reducing the effectiveness of one instrument on NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory, New Scientist magazine reported this week. In an article published in the November 8 issue of the British magazine, project officials confirm that a thin layer of grease had built up on a filter located in front of the spacecraft's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS). The layer has the effect of reducing the amount of low-energy x-rays reaching the instrument, as if a gas cloud existed in space between the x-ray source and the telescope, absorbing the x-rays. Project engineers are considering a "bakeout" where the filter is heated to remove the grease, although there is concern the procedure could make the problem worse. That bakeout, if carried out, would not take place until April or May of 2004.
A layer of contamination is reducing the effectiveness of one instrument on NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory, New Scientist magazine reported this week. In an article published in the November 8 issue of the British magazine, project officials confirm that a thin layer of grease had built up on a filter located in front of the spacecraft's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS). The layer has the effect of reducing the amount of low-energy x-rays reaching the instrument, as if a gas cloud existed in space between the x-ray source and the telescope, absorbing the x-rays. Project engineers are considering a "bakeout" where the filter is heated to remove the grease, although there is concern the procedure could make the problem worse. That bakeout, if carried out, would not take place until April or May of 2004.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 8
Globalstar Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Business Wire — 8:41 am ET (1341 GMT) All eyes on Blue Origin as New Glenn prepares for high-stakes launch
WESH-TV Orlando — 8:38 am ET (1338 GMT) NASA's Escapade Mission May Finally Reveal How the Martian Atmosphere Works
CNET News.com — 8:37 am ET (1337 GMT) SpaceX Buys $2.6B More EchoStar Spectrum
Aviation Week — 8:33 am ET (1333 GMT) Globalstar stays mum on rumored sale of company
FierceWireless — 8:32 am ET (1332 GMT) |
