GAMMA RAY DETECTOR

Developed by Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (GRCSW)

Balloon launched on 10/20/1965, from Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The payload was composed by a omni-directional scintillation detector One of the aims of this experiment was to observe any possible enhancements to the low-energy atmospheric photon flux induced by the passage of the Ikeya-Seki comet. The detector consisted of a cylindrical sodium-iodide (thallium doped) scintillator of diameter 5 inches and depth 0.5 inches, yielding a geometric factor for anisotropic flux of 76.2 cm2. The axis of the detector was vertical, and a 5 inches photomultiplier tube observed the scintillations from below.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 10/20/1965 at 13:00 cst
Launch site: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US  
Balloon launched by: Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (GRCSW)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Raven 100.000 cuft (0.75 MIL.)
Flight identification number: 178P
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 10/20/1965
Payload weight: 25 lbs

The balloon was launched at 13:00 cst, on October 20, 1965 from the Palestine balloon base using the hutch-clutch system. Operations were performed by a team from the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (GRCSW). Post flight analysis of the data obtained yielded no significant effects on the atmospheric photon flux.

External references

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