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1. Light Path
The Chandra Observatory is first oriented toward a cosmic X-ay source. View the animation.
The Chandra Observatory is first oriented toward a cosmic X-ay source. View the animation.
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2. Light Path - Showing Mirrors, HRC
Next, X-ray photons entering the telescope are reflected at grazing angles and focused onto an electronic detector to make an image of a cosmic source. View the animation.
Next, X-ray photons entering the telescope are reflected at grazing angles and focused onto an electronic detector to make an image of a cosmic source. View the animation.
3. Light Path - Close-up of HRC
Here is a closeup showing the focusing of the X-rays onto an electronic detector. View the animation.
Here is a closeup showing the focusing of the X-rays onto an electronic detector. View the animation.
5. Nested X-ray Mirrors
X-rays that hit a mirror at grazing angles are reflected like a pebble skipping across a pond. Thus, X-ray telescope mirrors are shaped like barrels rather than dishes. View the animation.
X-rays that hit a mirror at grazing angles are reflected like a pebble skipping across a pond. Thus, X-ray telescope mirrors are shaped like barrels rather than dishes. View the animation.
6. Focusing X-rays
Chandra's X-ray mirror assembly focuses X-rays onto a detector to produce an image. View the animation.
Chandra's X-ray mirror assembly focuses X-rays onto a detector to produce an image. View the animation.
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7. Schematic of Grazing Incidence, X-Ray Mirror
This cutaway illustrates the design and functioning of the High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA) on Chandra.
This cutaway illustrates the design and functioning of the High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA) on Chandra.
8. Schematic of Grazing Incidence, X-Ray Telescope
This cross section through four nested pairs of mirrors illustrates the principle of grazing incidence reflection and focusing of X-rays. Two reflections are required to make an image. The grazing angles range from about 3.5 degrees for the outer pair to about 2 degrees for the inner pair.
This cross section through four nested pairs of mirrors illustrates the principle of grazing incidence reflection and focusing of X-rays. Two reflections are required to make an image. The grazing angles range from about 3.5 degrees for the outer pair to about 2 degrees for the inner pair.
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