Model of a cobalt-60 source

Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive

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Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Cobalt-60 source, cut away model, non-radioactive, by Amersham International, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, England, 1975-1985

Cobalt-60 is an artificially produced radioactive material, made in a nuclear reactor. With fewer damaging effects on the skin than radium, it was introduced into radiotherapy in 1951, and helped medics treat tumours deep inside the body for the first time.

More than 35 million people with cancer worldwide have had cobalt-60 radiotherapy. The first cobalt-60 machines were made and used at University Hospital, Saskatoon, Canada.

Details

Category:
Nuclear Physics
Object Number:
1982-1434
Materials:
steel (metal), metal (unknown) and paint
Measurements:
overall (lying flat): Width = 710 mm x Diameter = 40 mm, 4.06 kg
type:
cut-away object
credit:
Amersham International plc