Orbiting Astronomical Observatory
Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO), series of four orbiting observatories (see observatory, orbiting) launched between 1966 and 1972 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide astronomical data in the ultraviolet and X-ray wavelengths filtered out by the earth's atmosphere. Only two of the four launches were successful, however. OAO-2, launched in 1978, which carried two large telescopes in addition to a cluster of four ultraviolet telescopes, four photoelectric telescopes, and a number of spectrometers and other devices, weighed 4,200 lb (1,900 kg) and was the heaviest satellite orbited to that time. Working primarily with ultraviolet radiation, it was able to photograph very young stars. OAO-3, which was also called Copernicus, was launched in 1972. Carrying what was at that time the largest telescope ever orbited and three smaller X-ray telescopes, OAO-3 was primarily used in the study of ultraviolet radiation from interstellar gas and dust and from stars near the edges of the Milky Way. See also ultraviolet astronomy.
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Orbiting Astronomical Observatory
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The Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) satellites were a series of four American space observatories launched by NASA between 1966 and 1972, which provided the first high-quality observations of many objects in ultraviolet light. Although two OAO missions were failures, the success of the other two increased awareness within the astronomical community of the benefits of space-based observations, and led to the instigation of the Hubble Space Telescope.
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OAO-1
The first OAO was launched successfully on 8 April 1966, carrying instruments to detect ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray emission. Before the instruments could be activated, however, a power failure resulted in the termination of the mission after three days.
OAO-2
OAO-2 was launched on 7 December 1968, and carried 11 ultraviolet telescopes. It observed successfully until January 1973, and contributed to many significant astronomical discoveries. Among these were the discovery that comets are surrounded by enormous haloes of hydrogen, several hundred thousand kilometres across, and observations of novae which found that their UV brightness often increased during the decline in their optical brightness.
OAO-B
OAO-B carried a 38-inch UV telescope, and should have provided spectra of fainter objects than had previously been observable. The booster rocket failed to separate from the satellite following its launch on 3 November 1970, and the satellite burned up as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.
OAO-3 (Copernicus)
OAO-3 was launched on 21 August 1972, and proved to be the most successful of the OAO missions. It was a collaborative effort between NASA and the UK's Science and Engineering Research Council, and carried an X-ray detector built by University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory in addition to an 80 cm UV telescope built by Princeton University. After its launch, it was named Copernicus to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus.
Copernicus operated until February 1981, and returned high resolution spectra of hundreds of stars along with extensive X-ray observations. Among the significant discoveries made by Copernicus were the discovery of several long-period pulsars, with rotation times of many minutes instead of the more typical second or less.
Launches
- OAO-1: Atlas-Agena D from Launch Complex 12, Cape Canaveral, Florida
- OAO-2, OAO-B and OAO-3: Atlas-Centaur from Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral, Florida
References
- Code A.D., Houck T.E., McNall J.F., Bless R.C., Lillie C.F. (1970), Ultraviolet Photometry from the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory. I. Instrumentation and Operation, Astrophysical Journal, v. 161, p.377
- Rogerson J.B., Spitzer L., Drake J.F., Dressler K., Jenkins E.B., Morton D.C. (1973), Spectrophotometric Results from the Copernicus Satellite. I. Instrumentation and Performance, Astrophysical Journal, v. 181, p. L97
External links
- OAO-1 at Gunter's Space Page
- OAO 2 Wisconsin experiments
- OAO at the Internet Encyclopedia of Science
- OAO-3 Goddard Spaceflight Center
- Copernicus website
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The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/.
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