Light Intensifier

70s
Various manufacturers
Materials: aluminum, brass, optical glass
Dimensions: D = 160 mm; P = 700 mm; Weight: 16 kg

Made in the 1970s by various manufacturers, the light intensifier was a fundamental instrument for improving the efficiency of astronomical observations. Its function is to amplify the light signal collected by the telescope, allowing to reduce exposure times without compromising image quality.

The process takes place inside a vacuum tube: light hits a photocathode, generating an electron discharge that is accelerated and projected onto a fluorescent panel, thus producing an amplified image. The two available models, with tubes and photocathodes optimized for blue and red bands, guaranteed dedicated performance for different wavelengths.

The intensifier could be connected to Spectrograph A via special flanges, expanding observation possibilities with interchangeable objectives and calibrated linear dispersions. This instrument represented a step forward in optical technology, fundamental for the development of modern astronomy.