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Will the XRISM spacecraft open a new perspective on the X-ray cosmos?

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By Surendra Uikey

 



We are on the cusp of a new era of space exploration and discovery with the upcoming XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) spacecraft. Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), XRISM is a cutting-edge mission that will explore some of the furthest reaches of the universe. It will investigate hot regions, the largest structures, and objects with powerful gravity.


Spectroscopy is a scientific technique that studies how light and matter interact, and it plays a major role in XRISM's mission. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center video producer Sophia Roberts has delved into this field of astronomy and has some amazing insight to share.


“The images from missions like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are awe-inspiring,” Roberts said. “But when you understand the science behind spectroscopy, it helps bring to life the stories behind those incredible images.”


XRISM is poised to open up a new world of knowledge about our universe. Its massive X-ray telescope will peer into the furthest depths of space, giving us a glimpse of exotic galaxies, quasars, and other stunning phenomena. Spectroscopy will be integral in analyzing XRISM's data so that we can better understand what we observe.


We may gain insight into some of the most mysterious phenomena in our universe, such as black holes and dark matter. We could also detect mysterious energetic particles called neutrinos, which have been dubbed “ghost particles” due to their elusive nature. Spectroscopy could also help us learn more about distant stars, potentially discovering new planets or other detectable features.


In addition to furthering our understanding of distant phenomena, XRISM's data will be invaluable in helping us better understand our own planet. The spacecraft’s ultra-sensitive sensors will detect X-rays from Earth's upper atmosphere that may provide us with new information about environmental processes such as ozone depletion.


NASA and JAXA Partnering to Unlock the Secrets of The Universe.


NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have announced a collaborative effort to unlock the mysteries of the universe with the launch of the XRISM's microcalorimeter spectrometer, named Resolve. This ambitious endeavor—which marks the first collaboration between the two space agencies—will measure X-rays from 400 to 12,000 electron volts, allowing scientists to measure tiny temperature changes created when an X-ray hits its 6-by-6-pixel detector.



The Resolve instrument will be placed inside a refrigerator-sized container of liquid helium, which will help cool it down to around minus 460 degrees Fahrenheit (around minus 270 Celsius). This will enable the instrument to measure the minuscule increase of an X-ray's energy and determine its origin. Combining this data with observations from the James Webb Space Telescope—which captures similar spectra for infrared light—will help researchers gain a better understanding of extremely hot gas within clusters of galaxies, near-light-speed particle jets powered by black holes in active galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena.



This is an exciting collaboration between two of the world’s leading space agencies. The data collected by Resolve could be invaluable in furthering our exploration of outer space and uncovering new cosmic secrets. The possibilities are truly awe-inspiring—and with this new technology, we can explore deep into the unknown parts of our universe. 





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