X-ray detectors in space: the challenges and rewards of observing the ‘hot and energetic universe’ – Physics World

X-ray detectors in space: the challenges and rewards of observing the ‘hot and energetic universe’ – Physics World

X-ray detectors in space: the challenges and rewards of observing the ‘hot and energetic universe’ – Physics World PlatoBlockchain Data Intelligence. Vertical Search. Ai.

In this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast the instrument scientist Roland den Hartog talks about the challenges of deploying superconductor-based detectors on satellites to do X-ray astronomy. Based at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) in Leiden, he also explains how astronomers use X-rays to observe the “hot and energetic universe”. This involves studying a range of objects from huge galaxy clusters to compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars.

Den Hartog is currently developing X-ray detectors for the European Space Agency’s Athena mission, which will launch in 2035. He explains that a primary goal of Athena is to gain a better understanding of the astrophysical origins of the elements by detecting the distinctive X-rays that they emit.

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