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In the middle of the photo is a slender lightbulb with a spiral filament. The entire rest of the photo is black.

Calibration Light Bulb

This specialized light bulb emanates a calibrated and precise amount of light, which the team at the Airborne Sensor Facility uses to calibrate a device called an integrating sphere. By pointing a scanner at the lightbulb, the team can check how much light is coming out of the bulb at each wavelength. By checking the readings from the light bulb against the readings from the sphere, the team can ensure the light coming out of the integrating sphere are well calibrated; the same process as tuning a piano.

Image Credit: NASA/Milan Loiacono
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