Japan's XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, pronounced "crism") observatory, expected to launch Aug. 25 (Aug. 26 Japan local time), will provide an unprecedented view into some of the hottest places in the universe. And it will do so using an instrument that's actually colder than the frostiest cosmic location now known.
"XRISM's Resolve instrument will let us peer into the make-up of cosmic X-ray sources to a degree that hasn't been possible before," said Richard Kelley, NASA's XRISM principal investigator at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "We anticipate many new insights about the hottest objects in the universe, which include exploding stars, black holes and galaxies powered by them, and clusters of galaxies."
A new NASA infographic illustrates the enormous range of cosmic temperatures. At the bottom of the scale is absolute zero Kelvin, or 459.67 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (minus 273.15 Celsius).
The detector for XRISM's Resolve instrument is just a few hundredths of a degree warmer than this. It's 20 times chillier than the Boomerang Nebula - the coldest-known natural environment - and about 50 times colder than the temperature of deep space, which is warmed only by the oldest light in the universe, the cosmic microwave background.
The instrument, a collaboration between NASA and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), must be kept so cold because it works by measuring the tiny temperature increase created when X-rays strike its detector. This information builds up a picture of how bright the source is in various X-ray energies - the equivalent of colors of visible light - and lets astronomers identify chemical elements by their unique X-ray fingerprints, called spectra.
"With current instruments, we're only capable of seeing these fingerprints in a comparatively blurry way," said Brian Williams, NASA's XRISM project scientist at Goddard. "Resolve will effectively give X-ray astrophysics a spectrometer with a magnifying glass."
XRISM's other instrument, called Xtend, developed by JAXA and Japanese universities, is an X-ray imager that will perform simultaneous observations with Resolve, providing complementary information. Both instruments rely on two identical X-ray Mirror Assemblies developed at Goddard.
XRISM is a collaborative mission between JAXA and NASA, with participation by ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's contribution includes science participation from the Canadian Space Agency.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Defense Industry Analyst:
8/10
This article provides an overview of the XRISM mission, a joint venture between NASA and JAXA that is expected to launch this month. It highlights the advanced technology on board, specifically the detector that is kept at temperatures colder than the Boomerang Nebula, the coldest known natural environment. Analysts in the defense industry will be interested in the potential applications of this technology in terms of gathering intelligence from cosmic X-ray sources, such as exploding stars, black holes, and galaxies powered by them.
Stock Market Analyst:
6/10
This article is relevant to stock market analysts in that it provides insight into the potential of the technology being developed by NASA and JAXA. Although the mission is primarily designed for astronomical research, the implications of this technology for the defense industry could be significant. Stock market analysts may be interested in the potential revenue opportunities associated with the XRISM mission, particularly in terms of military contracts.
General Industry Analyst:
9/10
This article is of particular interest to industry analysts as it provides an overview of the XRISM mission, a joint venture between NASA and JAXA. It highlights the advanced technology on board, specifically the detector that is kept at temperatures colder than the Boomerang Nebula, the coldest known natural environment. Analysts may be interested in the potential applications of this technology in terms of gathering intelligence from cosmic X-ray sources, such as exploding stars, black holes, and galaxies powered by them.
Analyst Summary
: The XRISM mission, a joint venture between NASA and JAXA, is expected to launch this month and will provide an unprecedented view into some of the hottest places in the universe. The instrument, Resolve, is kept at temperatures colder than the Boomerang Nebula, the coldest known natural environment. This advanced technology has potential applications in terms of gathering intelligence from cosmic X-ray sources, such as exploding stars, black holes, and galaxies powered by them. This may be of particular interest to analysts in the defense industry, as well as those interested in potential revenue opportunities associated with the XRISM mission, particularly in terms of military contracts.Over the past 25 years, the space and defense industry has seen significant advancements in technology related to both space exploration and defense. The XRISM mission is a continuation of this trend, as it provides a more advanced and detailed view of the universe. It is also notable for its use of advanced technology to keep its instrument at temperatures colder than the Boomerang Nebula, a feat not seen before.Investigative
Question:
- 1. What are the potential applications of this technology in terms of gathering intelligence from cosmic X-ray sources?
- 2. What potential revenue opportunities are associated with the XRISM mission?
- 3.
How does the XRISM mission compare to existing space and defense industry technologies?4. What kind of data can be obtained from the XRISM mission?
5. What other technological advancements have been made in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years?
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