Chandra X-Ray Telescope

CHANDRA X-RAY

TELESCOPE

A B B Y B R A DS H A W

C OL E B U T T E R F I E L D

EXPECTATIONS1.Unprecedented x-ray

images2.Spectra of violent, high

temperature events3.Understand structure and

organization of universe4.Detailed physics in a

unique laboratory

ENGINEERING • Orbits above Earth’s

atmosphere (86,500 mi)• Reflector telescope• Launched in 1999• 4 sensitive mirrors• Electronic detectors at the

end of the 30 ft. optical bench •  X-ray telescope whose mirrors

will focus X-rays from celestial objects

RESULTS

RESULTS• dwarf galaxy M60-UCD1 • Jupiter's x-rays coming from poles,

not auroral ring.•  found much more cool gas than

expected spiraling into the center of the Andromeda Galaxy.

• Sound waves from violent activity around a super massive black hole were observed in Perseus Cluster (2003).

• X-ray shadow of Titan seen when transited the Crab Nebula.

• (2006) found strong evidence of dark matter

• large halo of hot gas found surrounding Milky Way