A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has launched with NASA X-ray polarimetry imaging explorer (IXPE) satellite. First announced In 2017, the IXPE will be the first satellite that can measure the polarization of X-rays coming from cosmic sources such as black holes and neutron stars.
The refrigerator-sized satellite has three telescopes that can track and measure the direction, arrival time, energy and polarization of light. When the data from all of these telescopes are combined, NASA can create images that could give us a better understanding of how mysterious celestial objects – those that emit X-rays – work. For example, they hope that it can give us a closer look at the structure of the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant with a neutron star spinning rapidly at its center.
By observing black holes, the IXPE will help scientists gain more insights and increase humanity’s knowledge of regions of space that we barely know. It could provide clues as to why they spin and how they devour cosmic material, but it could also lead to new discoveries. Martin Weisskopf, the Mission’s lead investigator, said during a briefing: “IXPE will help us test and refine our current theories about how the universe works. We may even discover more exciting theories about these exotic objects than we suspected. “
SpaceX used a Falcon 9 rocket from a previous mission for this launch. If all goes well, the first stage of the rocket will land on the company’s Just Read the Instructions drone ship after the IXPE is launched into space.
Publisher’s Note: This article originally appeared on Engadget.
