X-ray Astronomy at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory 1965-1975
Abstract
In 1965 a group of nuclear physicists at the Livermore Laboratory started to make observations of the X-ray sky. They found themselves in a unique situation - easy access to sounding rocket flights and generous support for instrument buiding and data analysis. The program continued for ten years. With rocket-borne detectors we showed that Sco X-1 was a thermal source and measured its approximate size and density. New sources were discovered in the southern sky including a bright transient and two luminous sources in the Large Magelanic Cloud. Detectors were developed for sub keV X-rays and three old supernova remnants were found to be the brightest sources in this energy band. These astronomy observations provided inspiration and challenge to the rocket development program and, in addition to these discoveries, a resource useful for the nation's interests was developed.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #221
- Pub Date:
- January 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AAS...22111312S