Hobbies And Interests
Mirrors
The main hardware of the Chandra telescope consists of a support structure and four mirrors. The mirrors are not flat, but cylindrical, and shaped like big glass barrels. An x-ray telescope is built differently than an optical telescope. It needs to be able to detect and measure x-ray photons. It does this by bouncing them off one of four cylindrical mirrors mounted on its base. Shaping, cleaning and mounting these mirrors was an historic technical accomplishment.
Detectors
The mirrors are positioned to run parallel to incoming x-rays and capture them. After an x-ray photon ricochets off of the mirrors, it is sent into a detector. A detector is a device that measures the amounts of electromagnetic radiation emitted by objects in space. Detectors also record where the electromagnetic radiation was found and can be used to detect invisible light.
Orbit and Celestial Bodies
The orbit is of the Chandra telescope is about 200 times higher than that of the Hubble telescope, and is elliptical, which means that the orbit is shaped like an oval. This longer and more elevated orbit has helped the Chandra detect objects that are invisible to optical telescopes, such as black holes, dark matter and supernovae. The x-ray telescope uses mass and gravity to detect these dim and usually hidden bodies.
Instruments
In addition to giant mirrors and a dizzying orbit, the final component in the Chandra's operating system are a few precise and very advanced scientific instruments. These include spectrometers and photometers that record details about any electromagnetic energy detected. This includes the type of energy detected, and when as well as where. Other instruments include the solar panels, which provide the telescope with power.