XMM-Newton
Exploring the hot and extreme Universe
The mission
XMM-Newton is studying X-ray sources across the Universe: looking deep into the centre of galaxies, studying stars at all stages of their live, investigating what happens in and around black holes, and following up on explosive events like gamma-ray bursts. XMM-Newton helps us explore how the Universe was formed and how matter behaves under the most extreme circumstances.
The launch
- Launch: 10 December 1999
- Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 5
- Orbit: 48-hour elliptical orbit around Earth, inclined at 40 degrees. Apogee altitude 115 000~92 000 km.
- 6 instruments
- 3800 kg mass
- 7,5 m focal length
- 174 gold-coated mirrors
Latest
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ImageScience & Exploration
Black hole winds from a galactic core
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ImageScience & Exploration
Marvel at stunning echo of 800-year-old explosion
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ImageScience & Exploration
XMM-Newton captured dust rings from gamma-ray burst 221009A
