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== Wisconsin Experiment Package ==
== Wisconsin Experiment Package ==
{{anchor|Wisconsin Experiment Package|WEP}}
{{anchor|Wisconsin Experiment Package|WEP}}
The Wisconsin Experiment Package had seven different telescopes for ultraviolet observations.<ref name=wep>[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/experiment/display.action?id=1968-110A-02 Wisconsin Experiment Package]</ref> For example, there was a photoelectric photometer fed by a 16-inch (40.64&nbsp;cm)<!--google convert--> telescope with a six-position filter wheel.<ref name=wep/> WEP observed over 1200 targets in ultraviolet light before the mission ended in early 1973.<ref name=o2/>
The Wisconsin Experiment Package had seven different telescopes for ultraviolet observations.<ref name=wep>[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/experiment/display.action?id=1968-110A-02 Wisconsin Experiment Package]</ref> For example, there was a nebular photoelectric photometer fed by a 16-inch (40.64&nbsp;cm)<!--google convert--> telescope with a six-position filter wheel<ref name=wep/> that unfortunately failed a few weeks after launch<ref name="nasa-goddard-feature"></ref>.

Construction was supervised by [[Arthur Code]] of the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]]. <ref name="nasa-goddard-feature">{{cite web |last1=Reddy |first1=Francis |title=NASA’s First Stellar Observatory, OAO 2, Turns 50 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/nasa-s-first-stellar-observatory-oao-2-turns-50 |website=NASA.gov |access-date=7 January 2023 |date=11 Dec 2018}}</ref> WEP observed over 1200 targets in ultraviolet light before the mission ended in early 1973.<ref name=o2/>


== Spacecraft bus ==
== Spacecraft bus ==

Revision as of 19:08, 7 January 2023

Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2
Technicians in a clean room at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, check out the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 before the mission’s Dec. 7, 1968, launch.
Mission typeAstronomy
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1968-110A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.3597
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerGrumman
Dry mass2,012 kilograms (4,436 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date7 December 1968, 08:40:09 (1968-12-07UTC08:40:09) UTC
RocketAtlas SLV-3C Centaur-D
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-36B
End of mission
Last contactJanuary 1973 (1973-02)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude768 kilometres (477 mi)
Apogee altitude777 kilometres (483 mi)
Inclination35.0 degrees
Period100.30 minutes
Epoch6 January 1969[1]
 

The Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO-2, nicknamed Stargazer) was the first successful space telescope (first space telescope being OAO-1, which failed to operate once in orbit), launched on December 7, 1968.[2] An Atlas-Centaur rocket launched it into a nearly circular 750-kilometre (470 mi) altitude Earth orbit.[3] Data was collected in ultraviolet on many sources including comets, planets, and galaxies.[2][4] It had two major instrument sets facing in opposite directions; the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Wisconsin Experiment Package (WEP).[4] One discovery was large halos of hydrogen gas around comets,[4] and it also observed Nova Serpentis, which was a nova discovered in 1970.[2]

Celescope: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, also called Celescope, had four 12 inch (30.5 cm) Schwarzschild telescopes that fed into Uvicons.[5] Various filters, photocathodes, and electronics aided in collecting data in several ultraviolet light passbands.[5] The experiment was completed in April 1970.[5] By the time it finished about 10 percent of the sky was observed.[5] The Uvicon was an ultra-violet light detector based on the Westinghouse Vidicon.[6] Ultraviolet light was converted into electrons which were in-turn converted to a voltage as those electrons hit the detection area of the tube.[7] There has been a Uvicon in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution since 1973.[6]

Wisconsin Experiment Package

The Wisconsin Experiment Package had seven different telescopes for ultraviolet observations.[8] For example, there was a nebular photoelectric photometer fed by a 16-inch (40.64 cm) telescope with a six-position filter wheel[8] that unfortunately failed a few weeks after launch[9].

Construction was supervised by Arthur Code of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. [9] WEP observed over 1200 targets in ultraviolet light before the mission ended in early 1973.[4]

Spacecraft bus

The observatory was built in the shape of an octagonal prism. It measured about 10 by 7 ft (3.0 by 2.1 m) and weighed 4,400 lb (2,000 kg).[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Joseph A. Angelo (2014). Spacecraft for Astronomy. Infobase Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-4381-0896-4.
  3. ^ Gunter – OAO-2
  4. ^ a b c d Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO-2
  5. ^ a b c d High-Resolution Telescopes
  6. ^ a b "Detector, Uvicon, Celescope". National Air and Space Museum. 2016-11-24. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  7. ^ "Detector, Uvicon, Celescope | National Air and Space Museum". airandspace.si.edu. Archived from the original on 2018-01-25.
  8. ^ a b Wisconsin Experiment Package
  9. ^ a b Reddy, Francis (11 Dec 2018). "NASA's First Stellar Observatory, OAO 2, Turns 50". NASA.gov. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  10. ^ "OAO-2". Space Based Telescopes. Retrieved 2018-10-25.

External links


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