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Close-up View of NICER’s X-Ray Optics

Taking up the center of the photo is one of NICER’s X-ray concentrators which is formed from concentric cylindrical mirrors that look like a vinyl record with very deep grooves. On top of the concentrator is a metal structure with a hexagonal plate in the center that has thin bars extending from each of the six corners, looking like a spiderweb. This one concentrator is surrounded by five others, which are only partially seen. Along the top quarter of the image is a clear window that reflects rectangular light and has a series of small holds in a grid across the bottom edge. Some parts of the central concentrator and the one to the upper right of it are bathed in purple light.
August 6, 2017
Credit NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Keith Gendreau
Historical Date August 6, 2017
Language
  • english

In this photo, NASA's Neutron star Interior Composition ExplorR’s (NICER's) X-ray concentrator optics are inspected under a black light for dust and foreign object debris that could impair functionality once in space. The payload’s 56 mirror assemblies concentrate X-rays onto silicon detectors to gather data that will probe the interior makeup of neutron stars, including those that appear to flash regularly, called pulsars.

More information: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/close-up-view-of-neutron-star-missions-x-ray-concentrator-optics

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Close-up View of NICER’s X-Ray Optics

Sep 9, 2023

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