Open AccessThe new X‐ray universe
Author(s) -
Charles Phil,
Fabian Andy
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
astronomy & geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.168
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1468-4004
pISSN - 1366-8781
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-4004.2001.42611.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , astronomy , galaxy , supernova , universe , active galactic nucleus , spectral resolution , x ray astronomy , x ray , spectral line , optics
Phil Charles and Andy Fabian review the changes brought to X‐ray astronomy by the two orbiting observatories, XMM‐Newton and Chandra. We describe here the changes to X‐ray astronomy that are being brought about by the two new orbiting X‐ray observatories, NASA’s Chandra and ESA’s XMM‐Newton. Between them they bring a dramatic gain in sensitivity, spatial resolution (now comparable to ground‐based optical and infrared telescopes) and spectral resolution. The superb Chandra mirrors rapidly resolved the diffuse X‐ray background and have produced stunning detailed images of a wide variety of cosmic objects. Large gains have been made by both missions in spectroscopic performance, with individual X‐ray emission lines now detectable in hot stellar coronae, supernova remnants, X‐ray binaries, active galactic nuclei and galaxy clusters.