Another high-precision research device has been displayed into near-Earth orbit — X -ray telescope NUSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) of the US National Aerospace Agency.
The launch was carried out using the PEGASUS XL missile, fixed under the bottom of the L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, which rose into the air from the ATOLLEL CAADALIALYIN. After separation from the side of the missile aircraft, the device brought the device to the calculated geocentric orbit about 550 km high. After 13 minutes after separation from the rocket, the telescope launched the solar panels for recharging batteries, reporting later that all systems are functioning normally. In the next month, specialists will check all the on -board systems of the apparatus, after which the first stage of the scientific program will begin.
The main task of the Nustar telescope will be the study of black holes and quasars. Due to the high sensitivity of equipment — 100 times higher than that of devices such as Chandra and XMM-Newton — The telescope can «look at» The closest environs of black holes. A substance that attracts a black hole forms an accretion disk around it, the temperature of which next to a black hole reaches millions of degrees. These areas of the disk is a source of powerful X -ray radiation, which will record the telescope.
In addition, Nustar will be able to observe the remnants of explosions of supernova — neutron stars and black holes of the star mass, as well as to fix gamma-ramps and explosions of supernova. The second task of the Nustar telescope — The study of X -ray outbreaks occurring in the sun, which are one of the main manifestations of the activity of our luminaries.
Source:
- NASA.GOV