High Energy Astronomy Observatory 1

High Energy Astronomy Observatory 1 (HEAO 1) was the first of NASA's three High Energy Astronomy Observatory missions, launched on August 12, 1977. Its primary mission was to survey and map the celestial sky in high-energy bands, including X-rays and gamma rays. This pioneering satellite significantly advanced the field of high-energy astrophysics by providing the first detailed view of the universe in these wavelengths.

Mission Overview

HEAO 1 was equipped with four major scientific instruments designed to cover a broad energy range, from soft X-rays to hard X-rays and low-energy gamma rays. These instruments were tasked with performing an all-sky survey and deep observations of selected regions. The mission's objectives were to identify and catalog X-ray sources, study the cosmic X-ray background, and investigate the physics of high-energy astronomical phenomena.

Instruments and Discoveries

The four main instruments on HEAO 1 were:

1. The Large Area Sky Survey Experiment (LASS), which was instrumental in mapping the X-ray sky. 2. The Cosmic X-ray Experiment (CXE), designed to study the structure and spectrum of the cosmic X-ray background. 3. The Modulation Collimator (MC), which provided high-resolution positions and structures of X-ray sources. 4. The Hard X-ray and Low-Energy Gamma Ray Experiment, which extended the energy range of the observatory into gamma rays.

HEAO 1's observations led to several significant discoveries. It provided a comprehensive map of the X-ray sky, revealing numerous new X-ray sources, including active galactic nuclei, binary star systems, supernova remnants, and clusters of galaxies. The mission also contributed to the understanding of the cosmic X-ray background, suggesting it was largely composed of discrete sources.

Legacy

The mission concluded on January 9, 1979, after successfully exceeding its planned operational life. HEAO 1's legacy is profound, laying the groundwork for future high-energy observatories such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton. It revolutionized our understanding of the high-energy universe, providing insights into the most energetic processes and objects in the cosmos.

See Also

• High Energy Astronomy Observatory 2
• High Energy Astronomy Observatory 3
• X-ray astronomy
• Gamma-ray astronomy