Constellation-X
A set of powerful X-ray telescopes that will orbit close to each other and
work in unison to observe simultaneously the same distant objects, combining
their data so that they have 100 times the power of any previous single
X-ray telescope. Constellation-X has been designed to perform X-ray spectroscopy
with unprecedented sensitivity and spectral resolution. The measurement
of large numbers of X-ray spectral lines in hot plasmas will allow astronomers
to determine the flow of gas in accretion disks around black holes, in active
galactic nuclei, and in binary X-ray sources, measure the population of
newly-created elements in supernova remnants, and detect the influence of
dark matter on the hot intergalactic medium in clusters of galaxies. The
Constellation-X mission, currently under design, is a key element in NASA's
Structure and Evolution of the Universe theme. Current plans envision a
four-satellite constellation and a launch some time around 2015, although
NASA has not yet committed to the project.
External site
NASA Constellation-X
home page
Related entry
• X-ray satellites
Related category
• SATELLITES
AND SPACE PROBES
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