COPERNICUS

Map of Observations

Wavelength Coverage

The Copernicus satellite, known initially as the Orbiting Astrophysical Observatory 3, obtained high-resolution spectra in the far- and near-ultraviolet of 551 UV sources, mostly bright stars. The satellite also featured an X-ray experiment, the data for which are hosted at HEASARC. The Copernicus mission was a collaboration between NASA and the SERC of the United Kingdom, and was operated by Princeton University (PI: Lyman Spitzer).

Active From

August, 1972 - February, 1981

Resolution 

U1 channel: R ~ 23,000

U2 channel: R ~ 5,000

Capabilities

• UV Spectroscopy

• X-Ray Multi-band Imaging