An Instrument for Measuring Cosmic X-Ray Radiation

The instrument is able to measure cosmic X-ray radiation in two channels between 0.15 and 0.46 keV, and in five channels between 0.8 and 8 keV. It consists of two detection units together with a data handling unit. One detection unit comprises a 150 cm2 multiproportional counter detector with a 1.8 micron titanium window operating with a gas mixture of Ne + 10% CO2. The other unit comprises a 7 cm2 multiproportional counter detector with a 3.6 micron (Al and C) coated polypropylene window, operating with a gas mixture of Ar + CO2. A 144 cm2 collecting mirror is placed in front of the last detector. A regulated high voltage supply as well as a gas supply system have been added to each of the detectors. The instrument has been prepared for the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS), which was launched on August 30, 1974.