The HEAO-B X-Ray Observatory

The HEAO-B X-ray observatory, a high-resolution imaging X-ray telescope, is described. The operation of HEAO-B is discussed along with the key scientific tasks, experimental hardware, the telescope, and its focal-plane detectors. Attention is given to the high-resolution imager, the broadband-filter spectrometer, the objective grating spectrometer, the image proportional counter, the focal-plane crystal spectrometer, the solid-state spectrometer, and the monitor proportional counter. The capabilities and sensitivities of these instruments are summarized, and the planned Guest Observer program is outlined. A summary of objects to be observed is given; these include clusters of galaxies, active and abnormal galaxies, quasars, normal galaxies, binary X-ray sources, globular clusters, pulsars, supernova remnants, the interstellar medium, flare stars, white dwarfs, the galactic nucleus, Jupiter, and Saturn.