 |
Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Поднятие Комптона http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1165363/eng |
Credit & Copyright:
STS-37 Crew,
NASA
Explanation:
Even great observatories need
a boost from time to time -- including
the orbiting
Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory.
Sparkling reflections and the bright limb of the Earth are visible in
this 1991 window view of
Compton's release into orbit
by the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Named after the American Nobel-prize-winning physicist,
Arthur Holly Compton,
the Compton Observatory has spent the last 6 years making
spectacular discoveries while exploring
the Universe at extreme gamma-ray energies.
From its post over 240 miles
above the Earth's surface, the
17 ton satellite still experiences enough atmospheric drag to cause
its orbit to deteriorate over time.
But NASA controllers have just completed a complex two month long
series of firings of Compton's on-board thrusters
which has raised its orbit to an altitude of over 300 miles.
This reboost (Compton's second in 6 years) should allow it to continue
its voyage of exploration of
the distant high-energy Universe until about 2007.
What if you could see gamma rays?
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.