1/4-scale model of the UV scanning polychromator spectroheliometer, S055
Date: 1970-1973
Inventory Number: 2001-1-0017
Classification: Spectroheliometer
Subject:
Maker: Harvard College Observatory (founded 1839)
Maker: Ball Brothers Research Corporation (founded 1956)
User: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (founded 1960)
User: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (founded 1958)
Associate Name: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (founded 1890)
Donor: William H. Parkinson
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
21 x 36 x 89 cm (8 1/4 x 14 3/16 x 35 1/16 in.)
Material:
Accessories: in file folder: 3 manuals for Skylab and 1 Preprint Series No. 638.
Bibliography:
A New Sun: The Solar Results From Skylab
DescriptionQuarter-scale model of the S-055 Ultraviolet Scanning Polychromator and Spectroheliometer used on Skylab's Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM). Model is constructed out of wood, aluminum, plastic, steel screws, and thin gauge wiring, and is mounted in a plexiglass and varnished pine case.
The object is rectangular with a long trapezoidal cover. The cover and one side of the object are divided into four rectangular heat panels bolted on. A series of wires on one side connects to a series of black boxes bolted onto the same side. Two wires are inserted into each connection, each of which is like a telephone jack.
On one side of the instrument is a a square aperture. Opposite the aperture is a parabolic mirror that is adjustable on horizontal and vertical axes. At the midpoint of the instrument is a heat rejection mirror that reflects unnecessary light back through the aperture. Another heat rejection mirror is positioned near the aperture. Beneath the aperture is a spectrometer that is positioned at the focal point of the mirror to catch the light from the mirror. The actual spectrometer is in the collection, object 2001-1-0018.
The object is rectangular with a long trapezoidal cover. The cover and one side of the object are divided into four rectangular heat panels bolted on. A series of wires on one side connects to a series of black boxes bolted onto the same side. Two wires are inserted into each connection, each of which is like a telephone jack.
On one side of the instrument is a a square aperture. Opposite the aperture is a parabolic mirror that is adjustable on horizontal and vertical axes. At the midpoint of the instrument is a heat rejection mirror that reflects unnecessary light back through the aperture. Another heat rejection mirror is positioned near the aperture. Beneath the aperture is a spectrometer that is positioned at the focal point of the mirror to catch the light from the mirror. The actual spectrometer is in the collection, object 2001-1-0018.
Signedplaque on front of plexiglass dust cover reads: MANUFACTURED BY / BALL BROTHERS RESEARCH CORPORATION
Inscribedplaque on front of plexiglass dust cover reads: 1/4 SCALE MODEL HCO / ATM S-055 UV SCANNING / POLYCHROMATOR SPECTROHELIOMETER
FunctionThe S-055 was designed to cover wavelengths ranging from 300 to 1400 Angstroms, and was used to analyze the chromosphere, transition region, and the low corona of the sun. This instrument performed digital scans in monochromatic light of selected sections of the above mentioned areas and recorded the data on magentic tape, which were then telemetered to the ground.
On one side of the model is a square entrance aperture. The light passes through the aperture. The heat rejection mirror reflects most of the light to avoid overheating of the device. The remaining light passes onto the parabolic primary mirror on the other end. A servo motor turns the mirror in a manner that performs a faster scan on the light coming through the aperture. The mirror focuses light onto the entrance slit of the spectrometer.
The spectrometer has a grating opposite the entrance slit that separates the light out into spectral lines. The grating rotates vertically to project the reflected light onto each of the seven detectors on the other side of the instrument.
On one side of the model is a square entrance aperture. The light passes through the aperture. The heat rejection mirror reflects most of the light to avoid overheating of the device. The remaining light passes onto the parabolic primary mirror on the other end. A servo motor turns the mirror in a manner that performs a faster scan on the light coming through the aperture. The mirror focuses light onto the entrance slit of the spectrometer.
The spectrometer has a grating opposite the entrance slit that separates the light out into spectral lines. The grating rotates vertically to project the reflected light onto each of the seven detectors on the other side of the instrument.
Historical AttributesScale model of the Harvard College Observatory extreme ultraviolet (euv) scanning polychromator spectroheliometer, Experiment S-055 flown on NASA's Skylab space station in 1973.
The flight instrument was a spectrometer-spectroheliometer designed to obtain up to seven simultaneous spectroheliograms in the wavelength range 280-1340 Angstroms with a spatial resolution of 5 x 5 arc-seconds squared. It was mounted on the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) of the orbiting Skylab space station. It observed temporal changes in the euv radiation emited by several types of solar regions. It operated photoelectrically and required no film. Data was recorded electronically.
The principal investigator was Leo Goldberg of the Harvard College Observatory. The subcontractor was Ball Brothers Research Corporation. The development and integration centers were both at the Marshall Space Flight Center.
The flight instrument was a spectrometer-spectroheliometer designed to obtain up to seven simultaneous spectroheliograms in the wavelength range 280-1340 Angstroms with a spatial resolution of 5 x 5 arc-seconds squared. It was mounted on the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) of the orbiting Skylab space station. It observed temporal changes in the euv radiation emited by several types of solar regions. It operated photoelectrically and required no film. Data was recorded electronically.
The principal investigator was Leo Goldberg of the Harvard College Observatory. The subcontractor was Ball Brothers Research Corporation. The development and integration centers were both at the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Curatorial RemarksBall Brothers Research Corp. is now known as Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. and is currently located at 1600 Commerce St., Boulder, CO 80301; and at http://www.ballaerospace.com.
Primary SourcesOne article describing the spectroheliometer is E.M. Reeves, M.C.E. Huber, and J.G. Timothy, "Extreme UV Spectroheliometer on the Apollo Telescope Mount," Applied Optics, Vol. 16, Iss. 4 (1977): 837-848.
Materials at the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments include:
Huber, M. C. E. and Timothy, J. G. "S-055A Scanning Polychromator and Spectroheliometer EUV Calibration Test 19001 October 12-15, 1971." Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, MA, 1971.
Harby, William. "S-055A Experiment Handbook: UV Scanning Polychromator Spectroheliometer, Apollo Telescope Mount/Skylab." Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, MA, 1972
Goldberg, Leo et al. "An Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroheliometer for the Apollo Telescope Mount." Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, MA, 1972
Reeves, E.M. et al. "The Extreme-Ultraviolet Spectroheliometer on ATM." Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA, 1976.
Materials at the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments include:
Huber, M. C. E. and Timothy, J. G. "S-055A Scanning Polychromator and Spectroheliometer EUV Calibration Test 19001 October 12-15, 1971." Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, MA, 1971.
Harby, William. "S-055A Experiment Handbook: UV Scanning Polychromator Spectroheliometer, Apollo Telescope Mount/Skylab." Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, MA, 1972
Goldberg, Leo et al. "An Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroheliometer for the Apollo Telescope Mount." Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, MA, 1972
Reeves, E.M. et al. "The Extreme-Ultraviolet Spectroheliometer on ATM." Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA, 1976.
ProvenanceWilliam H. Parkinson, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
