XMM-Newton Observatory (X-ray Multi-Mirror)
A European Space Agency orbiting X-ray observatory
launched in December 1999. XMM-Newton is the most sensitive imaging X-ray
observatory in the 250 eV–12 keV range ever flown, exceeding the mirror
area and energy range of ROSAT, ASCA,
and even the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
It has three advanced X-ray telescopes, each containing 58 high-precision
concentric mirrors nested to offer the largest possible collecting area.
In addition, it carries five X-ray imaging cameras and spectrographs, and
an optical monitoring telescope. The observatory moves in a highly elliptical
orbit, traveling out to nearly one third of the distance to the Moon and
enabling long, uninterrupted observations of faint X-ray sources.
| launch date |
Dec. 10, 1999 |
| launch vehicle |
Ariane 5 |
| launch site |
Kourou |
| size |
10 × 16 m |
| mass at launch |
3.8 tons |
| orbit |
7,000 × 114,000 km × 48° |
Related entry
• X-ray satellites
Related category
• SATELLITES
AND SPACE PROBES
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia
of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia
of History
BACK TO TOP
|
