X-ray telescope for sounding rocket-borne observations

The X-ray astronomy group at Caltech has developed an X-ray telescope for sounding rocket-borne observations above the earth's atmosphere. The telescope consists of a pair of nested aluminum mirrors, 40.64 cm and 31.65 cm in diameter with a total geometrical collecting area of 200 sq cm. The mirror surfaces have been machined at the Y-12 plant of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory using an air bearing spindle lathe and a diamond tool. Design and performance characteristics are presented. The design of the next generation telescope of 91 cm diameter is discussed