The effect of this buildup has been to gradually decrease the efficiency of the detector at low X-ray energies to roughly 60% of their value at launch in July of 1999. Observations at medium and high X-ray energies are affected by less than 10%.

Observations of objects that radiate primarily low energy X-rays, such as the coronas of stars and some supernova remnants, will take longer to reach the same sensitivity as an uncontaminated detector. The great majority of Chandra observations rely on medium and high-energy X-rays for which the contamination effects are minimal.

The contaminants are thought to be hydrocarbon substances whose source could be a Chandra spacecraft lubricant. Based on detailed analyses and extensive experience with other NASA missions, the Chandra team anticipated that molecular contaminants would slowly be released from material in the spacecraft when it was in orbit. The observed level of contamination is consistent with the high end of the expected range.

To deal with this possibility, a heater system was incorporated into the design of ACIS to allow the contaminants to be baked-off as needed while in orbit, as is done routinely on other missions. The Chandra team is currently performing detailed analysis in preparation for a possible bakeout planned for April or May 2004.

Since the build-up of additional contaminants is rather slow, it is important to analyze the nature of the contaminant to the extent possible, to optimize the bakeout process and to make sure there were no additional risks to be encountered during the bakeout. Even though analysis and previous experience indicate very little risk in this regard, a very conservative approach has been adopted, and various laboratory tests using spare components are underway.

Chandra's other detector, the High Resolution Camera, and the mirror assembly are maintained at relatively warm temperatures (10 degrees Celsius, and 20 degrees Celsius, respectively) so they have experienced very little build-up of contaminants. By comparison, ACIS's CCDs operate -120 Celsius, while its filters are maintained between -60 and -50 degrees Celsius.

Related Links
Chandra X-ray Observatory Center
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express