ESA Portal - Unique in-flight upgrade for XMM-Newton ground systems

Media Centre

Press Releases ESA Television Launch Media Corner Exhibitions

Services

Calendar Publications Frequently asked questions ESA-sponsored Conferences Help Site Credits Portal terms of use Comments Subscribe

Unique in-flight upgrade for XMM-Newton ground systems

7 February 2006

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 1706 Kb)

ESA's XMM-Newton is the most sensitive X-ray telescope ever built. Its high-technology design uses over 170 wafer-thin cylindrical mirrors spread over three telescopes.

Its orbit takes it almost a third of the way to the Moon, so that astronomers can enjoy long, uninterrupted views of celestial objects.

This unique X-ray observatory was launched by Ariane 5 from the European spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana on 10 December 1999. It derives its name from its X-ray multi-mirror design and honours Sir Isaac Newton.

Credits: ESA

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPG (Size: 209 kb)

This is an X-ray image of the neutron star ‘Geminga’, as taken by XMM-Newton on 5 April 2002. It lies about 500 light-years away from Earth.

Credits: ESA

Back to article

XMM Newton Science Operations Centre (SOC) at ESAC

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 1012 kb)

XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre (SOC) at ESAC, during observations of the NASA Deep Impact mission.

Credits: ESAC

Spacecraft Operations