An Echelle Spectrograph for Middle Ultraviolet Solar Spectroscopy from Rockets

Abstract

An echelle grating spectrograph is ideal for use in a rocket when high resolution is required because it occupies a minimum of space. The instrument described covers the range 4000–2000 Å with a resolution of 0.03 Å. It was designed to fit into the solar biaxial pointing-control section of an Aerobee-150 rocket. The characteristics of the spectrograph are illustrated with laboratory spectra of iron and carbon arc sources and with solar spectra obtained during rocket flights in 1961 and 1964. Problems encountered in analyzing the spectra are discussed. The most difficult design problem was the elimination of stray light when used with the sun. Of the several methods investigated, the most effective was a predispersing system in the form of a zero-dispersion double monochromator. This was made compact by folding the beam four times.