IXPE
ActiveLaunched in 2021·Low Earth orbit
The first observatory dedicated to X-ray polarization: measuring the orientation of light from black holes and pulsars to understand their geometry.
Main objectives
- Measure X-ray polarization from extreme sources.
- Test the physics of magnetic fields and jets.
- Map the geometry of black holes and pulsars.
Did you know?
Its payload fits into three gas-filled detectors: an X-ray photon frees an electron whose track reveals the polarization.
Timeline
Dec 09, 2021
Launch
Falcon 9 lift-off from Kennedy Space Center.
Jan 01, 2022
Science begins
Three gas pixel polarization detectors in service.
May 17, 2023
Record polarization
Highest polarization ever measured, from a magnetar.
IXPE
Instruments
[01]Specifications
Band
Mass
Orbit
Discoveries
[03]- MeasurementMajorRecord polarization from a magnetarMay 17, 2023NASA/IXPE ↗
- MilestoneNotableRecord polarizationMay 17, 2023
- MilestoneNotableScience beginsJan 01, 2022
Mission milestones
[01]- MilestoneLaunchDec 09, 2021