Chandra X-ray Observatory
Illustration of Chandra
NamesAdvanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)
Mission typeX-ray astronomy
OperatorNASA / SAO / CXC
COSPAR ID1999-040B
SATCAT no.25867
Websitehttps://chandra.harvard.edu/
Mission durationPlanned: 5 years
Elapsed: 24 years, 5 months, 25 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerTRW Inc.
Launch mass5,860 kg (12,930 lb)[1]
Dry mass4,790 kg (10,560 lb)[1]
DimensionsDeployed: 13.8 × 19.5 m (45.3 × 64.0 ft)[2]
Stowed: 11.8 × 4.3 m (38.7 × 14.0 ft)[1]
Power2,350 W[2]
Start of mission
Launch dateJuly 23, 1999, 04:30:59.984 (1999-07-23UTC04:30:59) UTC[3]
RocketSpace Shuttle Columbia (STS-93)
Launch siteKennedy LC-39B
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeHighly elliptical
Semi-major axis80,795.9 km (50,204.2 mi)
Eccentricity0.743972
Perigee altitude14,307.9 km (8,890.5 mi)
Apogee altitude134,527.6 km (83,591.6 mi)
Inclination76.7156°
Period3809.3 min
RAAN305.3107°
Argument of perigee267.2574°
Mean anomaly0.3010°
Mean motion0.3780 rev/day
EpochSeptember 4, 2015, 04:37:54 UTC[4]
Revolution no.1358
Main telescope
TypeWolter type 1[5]
Diameter1.2 m (3.9 ft)[2]
Focal length10.0 m (32.8 ft)[2]
Collecting area0.04 m2 (0.43 sq ft)[2]
WavelengthsX-ray: 0.12–12 nm (0.1–10 keV)[6]
Resolution0.5 arcsec[2]
 

The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), previously known as the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), is a Flagship-class space telescope launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999. Chandra was sensitive to X-ray sources 100 times fainter than any previous X-ray telescope, enabled by the high angular resolution of its mirrors. Since the Earth's atmosphere absorbs the vast majority of X-rays, they are not detectable from Earth-based telescopes; therefore space-based telescopes are required to make these observations. Chandra is an Earth satellite in a 64-hour orbit, and its mission is ongoing as of 2024.

Chandra is one of the Great Observatories, along with the Hubble Space Telescope, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (1991–2000), and the Spitzer Space Telescope (2003–2020). The telescope is named after the Nobel Prize-winning Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.[7] Its mission is similar to that of ESA's XMM-Newton spacecraft, also launched in 1999 but the two telescopes have different design foci, as Chandra has a much higher angular resolution and XMM-Newton higher spectroscopy throughput.

History

In 1976, the Chandra X-ray Observatory (called AXAF at the time) was proposed to NASA by Riccardo Giacconi and Harvey Tananbaum. Preliminary work began the following year at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), where the telescope is now operated for NASA[8] at the Chandra X-ray Center in the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. In the meantime, in 1978, NASA launched the first imaging X-ray telescope, Einstein (HEAO-2), into orbit. Work continued on the AXAF project throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1992, to reduce costs, the spacecraft was redesigned. Four of the twelve planned mirrors were eliminated, as were two of the six scientific instruments. AXAF's planned orbit was changed to an elliptical one, reaching one third of the way to the Moon's at its farthest point. This eliminated the possibility of improvement or repair by the Space Shuttle but put the observatory above the Earth's radiation belts for most of its orbit. AXAF was assembled and tested by TRW (now Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems) in Redondo Beach, California.

Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-93 launches in 1999

AXAF was renamed Chandra as part of a contest held by NASA in 1998, which drew more than 6,000 submissions worldwide.[9] The contest winners, Jatila van der Veen and Tyrel Johnson (then a high school teacher and high school student, respectively), suggested the name in honor of Nobel Prize–winning Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. He is known for his work in determining the maximum mass of white dwarf stars, leading to greater understanding of high energy astronomical phenomena such as neutron stars and black holes.[7] Fittingly, the name Chandra means "moon" in Sanskrit.[10]

Originally scheduled to be launched in December 1998,[9] the spacecraft was delayed several months, eventually being launched on July 23, 1999, at 04:31 UTC by Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-93. Chandra was deployed by Cady Coleman[11] from Columbia at 11:47 UTC. The Inertial Upper Stage's first stage motor ignited at 12:48 UTC, and after burning for 125 seconds and separating, the second stage ignited at 12:51 UTC and burned for 117 seconds.[12] At 22,753 kilograms (50,162 lb),[1] it was the heaviest payload ever launched by the shuttle, a consequence of the two-stage Inertial Upper Stage booster rocket system needed to transport the spacecraft to its high orbit.

Chandra has been returning data since the month after it launched. It is operated by the SAO at the Chandra X-ray Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with assistance from MIT and Northrop Grumman Space Technology. The ACIS CCDs suffered particle damage during early radiation belt passages. To prevent further damage, the instrument is now removed from the telescope's focal plane during passages.

Although Chandra was initially given an expected lifetime of 5 years, on September 4, 2001, NASA extended its lifetime to 10 years "based on the observatory's outstanding results."[13] Physically Chandra could last much longer. A 2004 study performed at the Chandra X-ray Center indicated that the observatory could last at least 15 years.[14] It is active as of 2024 and has an upcoming schedule of observations published by the Chandra X-ray Center.[15]

In July 2008, the International X-ray Observatory, a joint project between ESA, NASA and JAXA, was proposed as the next major X-ray observatory but was later cancelled.[16] ESA later resurrected a downsized version of the project as the Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA), with a proposed launch in 2028.[17]

On October 10, 2018, Chandra entered safe mode operations, due to a gyroscope glitch. NASA reported that all science instruments were safe.[18][19] Within days, the 3-second error in data from one gyro was understood, and plans were made to return Chandra to full service. The gyroscope that experienced the glitch was placed in reserve and is otherwise healthy.[20]

Example discoveries

Crew of STS-93 with a scale model

The data gathered by Chandra has greatly advanced the field of X-ray astronomy. Here are some examples of discoveries supported by observations from Chandra:

CXO image of the brown dwarf TWA 5B
  • TWA 5B, a brown dwarf, was seen orbiting a binary system of Sun-like stars.
  • Nearly all stars on the main sequence are X-ray emitters.
  • The X-ray shadow of Titan was seen when it transited the Crab Nebula.
  • X-ray emissions from materials falling from a protoplanetary disc into a star.
  • Hubble constant measured to be 76.9 km/s/Mpc using Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect.[23]
  • 2006 Chandra found strong evidence that dark matter exists by observing super cluster collision.[24]
  • 2006 X-ray emitting loops, rings and filaments discovered around a super massive black hole within Messier 87 imply the presence of pressure waves, shock waves and sound waves. The evolution of Messier 87 may have been dramatically affected.[25]
  • Observations of the Bullet cluster put limits on the cross-section of the self-interaction of dark matter.[26]
  • "The Hand of God" photograph of PSR B1509-58.
  • Jupiter's x-rays coming from poles, not auroral ring.[27]
  • A large halo of hot gas was found surrounding the Milky Way.[28]
  • Extremely dense and luminous dwarf galaxy M60-UCD1 observed.[29]
  • On January 5, 2015, NASA reported that CXO observed an X-ray flare 400 times brighter than usual, a record-breaker, from Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The unusual event may have been caused by the breaking apart of an asteroid falling into the black hole or by the entanglement of magnetic field lines within gas flowing into Sagittarius A*, according to astronomers.[30]
  • In September 2016, it was announced that Chandra had detected X-ray emissions from Pluto, the first detection of X-rays from a Kuiper belt object. Chandra had made the observations in 2014 and 2015, supporting the New Horizons spacecraft for its July 2015 encounter.[31]
  • In September 2020, Chandra reportedly may have made an observation of an exoplanet in the Whirlpool Galaxy, which would be the first planet discovered beyond the Milky Way.[32][33][34]
  • In April 2021, NASA announced findings from the observatory in a tweet saying "Uranus gives off X-rays, astronomers find". The discovery would have "intriguing implications for understanding Uranus" if it is confirmed that the X-rays originate from the planet and are not emitted by the Sun.[35]

Technical description

Assembly of the telescope
The main mirror of AXAF (Chandra)
HRC flight unit of Chandra

Unlike optical telescopes which possess simple aluminized parabolic surfaces (mirrors), X-ray telescopes generally use a Wolter telescope consisting of nested cylindrical paraboloid and hyperboloid surfaces coated with iridium or gold. X-ray photons would be absorbed by normal mirror surfaces, so mirrors with a low grazing angle are necessary to reflect them. Chandra uses four pairs of nested mirrors, together with their support structure, called the High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA); the mirror substrate is 2 cm-thick glass, with the reflecting surface a 33 nm iridium coating, and the diameters are 65 cm, 87 cm, 99 cm and 123 cm.[36] The thick substrate and particularly careful polishing allowed a very precise optical surface, which is responsible for Chandra's unmatched resolution: between 80% and 95% of the incoming X-ray energy is focused into a one-arcsecond circle. However, the thickness of the substrate limits the proportion of the aperture which is filled, leading to the low collecting area compared to XMM-Newton.

Chandra's highly elliptical orbit allows it to observe continuously for up to 55 hours of its 65-hour orbital period. At its furthest orbital point from Earth, Chandra is one of the most distant Earth-orbiting satellites. This orbit takes it beyond the geostationary satellites and beyond the outer Van Allen belt.[37]

With an angular resolution of 0.5 arcsecond (2.4 µrad), Chandra possesses a resolution over 1000 times better than that of the first orbiting X-ray telescope.

CXO uses mechanical gyroscopes,[38] which are sensors that help determine what direction the telescope is pointed.[39] Other navigation and orientation systems on board CXO include an aspect camera, Earth and Sun sensors, and reaction wheels. It also has two sets of thrusters, one for movement and another for offloading momentum.[39]

Instruments

The Science Instrument Module (SIM) holds the two focal plane instruments, the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) and the High Resolution Camera (HRC), moving whichever is called for into position during an observation.

ACIS consists of 10 CCD chips and provides images as well as spectral information of the object observed. It operates in the photon energy range of 0.2–10 keV. The HRC has two micro-channel plate components and images over the range of 0.1–10 keV. It also has a time resolution of 16 microseconds. Both of these instruments can be used on their own or in conjunction with one of the observatory's two transmission gratings.

The transmission gratings, which swing into the optical path behind the mirrors, provide Chandra with high resolution spectroscopy. The High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) works over 0.4–10 keV and has a spectral resolution of 60–1000. The Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) has a range of 0.09–3 keV and a resolution of 40–2000.

Summary:[40]

  • High Resolution Camera (HRC)
  • Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS)
  • High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS)
  • Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS)
Labeled diagram of CXO
Animation of Chandra X-ray Observatory's orbit around Earth from August 7, 1999
  Chandra ·   Earth

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Chandra X-ray Observatory Quick Facts". Marshall Space Flight Center. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Chandra Specifications". NASA/Harvard. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  3. ↑ "International Flight No. 210: STS-93". Spacefacts.de. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Chandra X-Ray Observatory - Orbit". Heavens Above. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Chandra X-ray Observatory: Overview". Chandra X-ray Center. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ Ridpath, Ian (2012). The Dictionary of Astronomy (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-19-960905-5.
  7. 1 2 "And the co-winners are..." Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. 1998. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Chandra X-ray Center". cxc.cfa.harvard.edu. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Tucker, Wallace (October 31, 2013). "Tyrel Johnson & Jatila van der Veen - Winners of the Chandra-Naming Contest - Where Are They Now?". Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Chandra". Behind the Name. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ NASA. "Image: July 23, 1999, Chandra X-ray Observatory awaits deployment". phys.org. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  12. ↑ Drachlis, Dave (July 23, 1999). "Chandra X-ray Observatory Status Report: July 23, 1999 6:00 p.m. EDT". Marshall Space Flight Center Status Reports. NASA. Archived from the original on February 26, 2000. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Chandra's Mission Extended to 2009". Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. September 28, 2001.
  14. ↑ Schwartz, Daniel A. (August 2004). "The Development and Scientific Impact of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory". International Journal of Modern Physics D. 13 (7): 1239–1248. arXiv:astro-ph/0402275. Bibcode:2004IJMPD..13.1239S. doi:10.1142/S0218271804005377. S2CID 858689.
  15. ↑ "CXO Long-term Schedule". cxc.harvard.edu. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  16. ↑ "International X-ray Observatory". NASA.gov. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  17. ↑ Howell, Elizabeth (November 1, 2013). "X-ray Space Telescope of the Future Could Launch in 2028". Space.com. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  18. ↑ Kooser, Amanda (October 12, 2018). "Another NASA space telescope just went into safe mode". CNET. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ Dunbar, Brian, ed. (October 12, 2018). "Chandra Enters Safe Mode; Investigation Underway". NASA. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ Chou, Felicia; Porter, Molly; Watzke, Megan (October 24, 2018). "Chandra Operations Resume After Cause of Safe Mode Identified". NASA/Smithsonian.
  21. ↑ Hall, Alan. "Chandra Sees Its 'First Light'". Scientific American. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Students Using NASA and NSF Data Make Stellar Discovery; Win Science Team Competition" (Press release). NASA. December 12, 2000. Release 00-195. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  23. ↑ Bonamente, Massimiliano; Joy, Marshall; LaRoque, Samuel; Carlstrom, John; Reese, Erik; Dawson, Kyle (August 10, 2006). "Determination of the Cosmic Distance Scale from Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect and Chandra X-Ray Measurements of High-Redshift Galaxy Clusters". The Astrophysical Journal. 647 (1): 25–54. arXiv:astro-ph/0512349. Bibcode:2006ApJ...647...25B. doi:10.1086/505291. S2CID 15723115.
  24. ↑ Clowe, Douglas; Bradač, Maruša; Gonzalez, Anthony; Markevitch, Maxim; Randall, Scott; Jones, Christine; Zaritsky, Dennis (August 30, 2006). "A Direct Empirical Proof of the Existence of Dark Matter". The Astrophysical Journal. 648 (2): L109–L113. arXiv:astro-ph/0608407. Bibcode:2006ApJ...648L.109C. doi:10.1086/508162.
  25. ↑ Roy, Steve; Watzke, Megan (October 2006). "Chandra Reviews Black Hole Musical: Epic But Off-Key" (Press release). Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.
  26. ↑ Madejski, Greg (2005). Recent and Future Observations in the X-ray and Gamma-ray Bands: Chandra, Suzaku, GLAST, and NuSTAR. Astrophysical Sources of High Energy Particles and Radiation. June 20–24, 2005. Torun, Poland. AIP Conference Proceedings. Vol. 801. p. 21. arXiv:astro-ph/0512012. doi:10.1063/1.2141828.
  27. ↑ "Puzzling X-rays from Jupiter". NASA.gov. March 7, 2002. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  28. ↑ Harrington, J. D.; Anderson, Janet; Edmonds, Peter (September 24, 2012). "NASA's Chandra Shows Milky Way is Surrounded by Halo of Hot Gas". NASA.gov.
  29. ↑ "M60-UCD1: An Ultra-Compact Dwarf Galaxy". NASA.gov. September 24, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Chou, Felicia; Anderson, Janet; Watzke, Megan (January 5, 2015). "RELEASE 15-001 - NASA's Chandra Detects Record-Breaking Outburst from Milky Way's Black Hole". NASA. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  31. ↑ "X-Ray Detection Sheds New Light on Pluto". Applied Physics Laboratory. September 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  32. ↑ Rincon, Paul (October 25, 2021). "Signs of first planet found outside our galaxy". BBC News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021.
  33. ↑ Crane, Leah (September 23, 2020). "Astronomers may have found the first planet in another galaxy". New Scientist. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  34. ↑ Di Stefano, R.; et al. (September 18, 2020). "M51-ULS-1b: The First Candidate for a Planet in an External Galaxy". arXiv:2009.08987 [astro-ph.HE].
  35. ↑ Mohon, Lee (March 30, 2021). "First X-rays from Uranus Discovered". NASA. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  36. ↑ Gaetz, T. J.; Jerius, Diab (January 28, 2005). "The HRMA User's Guide" (PDF). Chandra X-ray Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 10, 2006.
  37. ↑ Gott, J. Richard; Juric, Mario (2006). "Logarithmic Map of the Universe". Princeton University.
  38. ↑ "Technical Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". James Webb Space Telescope. NASA. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  39. 1 2 "Spacecraft: Motion, Heat, and Energy". Chandra X-ray Observatory. NASA. March 17, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Science Instruments". Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Retrieved November 17, 2016.

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