NASA Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The IXPE is the first satellite capable of monitoring the polarization of X-rays emitted by cosmic objects such as black holes and neutron stars. (https://prodavinci.com) It was officially announced in 2017.
Three telescopes on the refrigerator-sized satellite track and measure light’s direction, arrival time, energy, and polarization. When the data from all of those telescopes will merge, NASA can create images. It could reveal more about how strange celestial objects, such as those that generate X-rays, function. They’re expecting, for example, that it will provide a better understanding of the structure of the Crab Nebula. It is a supernova remnant with a rapidly spinning neutron star at its heart.
The IXPE will assist scientists to acquire greater insight. It will likewise improve humanity’s knowledge of the parts of space we still barely grasp by viewing black holes. It could provide insight into why they spin and how they consume cosmic matter. Also, it could lead to new discoveries. Martin Weisskopf, the mission’s principal investigator, said during a briefing. “IXPE will help us test and refine our current theories of how the universe works. We may even discover more exciting theories about these exotic objects than what we’ve hypothesized.”
For this launch, SpaceX reused a Falcon 9 rocket from a previous mission. After ferrying NASA IXPE to space, the rocket’s first stage will land on the company’s drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” if all goes well.
