New Instruments For X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Astronomy
THE CONSTELLATION-X OBSERVATORY
The Constellation-X Observatory (Con-X )has the highest priority among the large initiatives recommended by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee to study astronomical objects through their emission of high-energy radiation. Con-X will include four x-ray telescopes that orbit the Sun 2 million kilometers from Earth. By combining the signals from these four identical telescopes, Con-X will achieve a much greater sensitivity to x rays than that of previous x-ray satellites. And its angular resolution and ability to discriminate among x rays of different energies will far surpass the capabilities of its predecessors. Con-X's accurate observations of the matter between galaxies will enable measurement of the temperature and density of intergalactic material that has been heated to hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of degrees. This material may constitute most of the ordinary matter in the universe.
Con-X will also measure the motions of even hotter, highly magnetized gas swirling into black holes. These measurements will reveal conditions within this gas and will also provide a test of Einstein's general theory of relativity in the presence of gravitational fields far stronger than in any other astrophysical environment. Observations of the x rays generated near the surfaces of neutron stars will allow researchers to determine the masses and sizes of these remnants of supernova explosions. These determinations will, in turn, provide insights into the nature of the ultimate building blocks of matter: quarks and gluons. Precise measurements of the x rays of different energies emitted by matter both within and outside our Milky Way will shed light on the production of all the elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. Con-X should therefore improve our knowledge of the fundamental particles in the universe, of the nuclei made from them, and of the behavior of these nuclei in strong gravitational fields.
THE GAMMA-RAY LARGE AREA SPACE TELESCOPE (GLAST)
To observe photons with energies higher than those of x rays, researchers await the launch of the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST). Orbiting outside Earth's atmosphere, GLAST will detect gamma rays with energies in the middle of the gamma-ray domain. GLAST will have a far greater sensitivity and ability to pinpoint the locations of sources than its predecessor, the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. With its ability to point to a precise location in space, GLAST will be able to study gamma-ray bursts.
OTHER HIGH-ENERGY INSTRUMENTS
The Energetic X-ray Imaging Survey Telescope (EXIST) will survey sources of relatively high energy x rays. EXIST will study the numerous x-ray sources that flash on and off on time scales of minutes and hours. Its ability to observe low-energy gamma rays will allow it to detect low-energy bursts of gamma rays associated with some supernova explosions. To detect the highest-energy gamma rays produced in the cosmos (which GLAST cannot do), specialized arrays of detectors are required that can record the bursts of photons triggered by a single high-energy photon. The ground-based Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) will be able to detect the highest-energy radiation of these three instruments.
Visit The Official VERITAS Site
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