Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

High-dispersion Echelle spectrograph designed at the Naval Research Laboratory to be flown on Aerobee sounding rockets in the late 1950s to observe the solar Lyman-alpha region. The instrument was stabilized in a servo-controlled cradle and locked onto the sun during the short rocket flight. The Lyman alpha emission line is found in spectra from high energy transitions of hydrogen atoms such as occur in the solar atmosphere. Its location in the ultraviolet region at 1216 angstroms means that it can only be observed from above the Earth's atmosphere.

Transferred from the Naval Research Laboratory in 1984.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type INSTRUMENTS-Scientific Manufacturer Naval Research Laboratory
 Dimensions 3-D: 94 x 25.4 x 12.7cm (37 x 10 x 5 in.)
 Materials Metallic shell with optics and electronics
Glass optics
 Inventory Number A19840021000 Credit Line Transferred from the Naval Research Laboratory Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.