China-European Space Agency Science Mission: Einstein Probe’s First X-ray Images

China-European Space Agency Science Mission: Einstein Probe’s First X-ray Images

The first images captured by the Einstein Probe (爱因斯坦探针) were revealed during the 7th Joint Workshop of the Einstein Probe Consortium, held in Beijing, China, from April 24 to 26, 2024. The Einstein Probe (爱因斯坦探针) is a collaboration led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), Germany. 

The Einstein Probe is equipped with a new generation of X-ray instruments with high sensitivity and a very wide view, designed to observe powerful blasts of X-ray light coming from neutron stars and black holes. China launched the X-ray satellite Einstein Probe (EP) on January 9, 2024. It will help scientists further unlock valuable information about the universe by observing distant flashes from cosmic events.

"The Einstein Probe can capture sudden cosmic burst events, or violent activities of celestial bodies. This kind of celestial body that suddenly appears in the universe, lasts for a few moments, and then disappears quickly is called a transient," said Yuan Weimin, chief scientist of the Einstein Probe.

There are many spectacular transients and bursts in the universe from stellar activities near the solar system to gamma ray bursts from the distant early universe. They can generate huge radioactive energy in a very short period of time, concentrated in the X-ray band, producing complex and changing brightness levels like sparkling fireworks. Such transients and bursts originate from the critical stages of the formation and evolution of celestial bodies, and carry key information for studying the universe. However, due to absorption by the Earth's atmosphere, X-rays containing valuable information cannot reach the ground.

"These transients are relatively far away, and their signals are relatively dim. They appear randomly in space. We don't know when and in what direction they appear. So it is difficult for current satellites to detect them, and we need a monitor with very high sensitivity and large field-of-view. That's why we developed the Einstein Probe—to capture these more remote and dimmer transients and bursts," Yuan said.

Learn more about the international Einstein Probe X-ray Mission: 

https://www.mpe.mpg.de/7984975/news20240109

Credit: EPSC, NAO/CAS; DSS; ESO/China Central Television (CCTV)

Acknowledgement: SciNews

Duration: 1 minute, 47 seconds

Release Date: April 28, 2024

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