XMM-Newton
ActiveLaunched in 1999·Earth orbit — 48 h
The largest X-ray observatory ever placed in orbit: three telescopes with 58 nested mirrors, devoted to black holes, neutron stars and active galaxies.
Main objectives
- Observe black holes, neutron stars and active galaxies in X-rays.
- Measure the hot gas of the intergalactic medium.
- Study dark matter and the formation of large-scale structure.
Did you know?
Its mirrors are so grazing that X-rays bounce off them like a stone on water — 58 nested shells per telescope.
Timeline
Dec 10, 1999
Launch
Ariane 5 lift-off from Kourou, French Guiana.
Jan 01, 2000
First light
Commissioning of the three X-ray telescopes.
Dec 10, 2019
20 years in orbit
Operations extended beyond 2026.
XMM-Newton
Instruments
[03]Specifications
Mass
Orbit
Mirrors