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Unique in-flight upgrade for XMM-Newton ground systems   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.  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.  XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre (SOC) at ESAC, during observations of the NASA Deep Impact mission. Release date: 9 February 2006 |