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2–20 keV X-ray Sky Background

Abstract

OBSERVATIONS of the diffuse X-ray background above approximately 20 keV, made from balloon platforms1–3, indicate a spectral index for the photon flux of at least 2 magnitudes. Recent rocket observations4–9 of the background in a band extending down to about 1 keV suggest that the spectral index for this lower energy band is smaller than 2 and could be as low as 1.3. We report here on the results of a rocket flight launched from White Sands, New Mexico, on March 3, 1969, in which we investigated the diffuse sky background within this band with a wide angle instrument especially suited to this purpose.

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BOLDT, E., DESAI, U., HOLT, S. et al. 2–20 keV X-ray Sky Background. Nature 224, 677–679 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/224677a0

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