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ASCA Instruments

ASCA is equipped with three types of observation instruments.

Two different types of detectors, CCD cameras (SIS) and imaging gas scintillation proportional counters (GIS), are employed as focal plane instruments. These two detectors are both imaging sensors that perform X-ray spectroscopy and imaging with complementary performance. Two of the satellite's four X-ray telescopes are combined with SIS, and the other two are combined with GIS.

SIS and GIS point in the same direction, so the data from SIS and GIS are used in combination.

(1) The X-ray telescope (XRT)

An optical system that collects cosmic X-rays and forms images.The nested thin-foil mirrors provide a large effective area over a wide energy range from below 1 keV up to 10 keV.This instrument was jointly fabricated by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Nagoya University.

(2) Solid-State Imaging Spectrometer (SIS)

An X-ray CCD camera, which collects photons. This device was produced through international cooperation that involved the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Osaka University, ISAS, and Pennsylvania State University.

SIS inflight calibration information

(3) Gas Imaging Spectrometer (GIS)

The image-type fluorescent proportional counter tube was produced by University of Tokyo and ISAS.


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