Because X rays can damage human tissue severely, it is not possible to do a hands-on activity with this type of radiation. There is a "simulated" X-ray activity included below. So called "soft" X rays are used for medical examinations and shorter wavelength X rays are used to inspect industrial products. Xrays from space occur in a large array of wavelengths, and special mirrors and detectors are required to obtain images from space. On earth, an object to be X-rayed is placed close to a piece of photographic film and the X-ray source turned on for few seconds. The developed film is dark where the X rays strike it and white where the object absorbs the X rays.

The effect of X rays can be simulated by the following activity: Place a piece of ordinary window screen over a box. Place a pattern made of cardboard on top of the screen. Sprinkle sand over the area of the box. The sand (X rays) will pass through the screen to the bottom of the box, except where they are blocked by the pattern.


Set up for the activity.

An outline of the pattern can be seen in the bottom of the box. The photographs show the set up and an example of the pattern in the bottom of the box.


An area of no sand shows the shape of the blocking pattern.

 

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THE GAMMA - RAY
OBSERVATORY (GRO)

CHANDRA X-RAY
OBSERVATORY

THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST)

THE SPACE INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY (SIRTF)

Purpose & Discoveries

Purpose & Discoveries

Purpose & Discoveries

Purpose & Discoveries

Related Hands-on Activity

Related Hands-on Activity

Related Hands-on Activities
1. UV Beads
2. Spectroscope

Related Hands-on Activity


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