The first images have been captured using the new X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM) space
telescope, now called the Newton observatory. The telescope was successfully
launched last December (CERN CourierJanuary 2000 p13). Mission
controllers say that the spacecraft is stable and that the instruments are working as
expected. It is costliest science project ever undertaken by the European Space
Agency.
The subject of the first observations was the Tarantula Nebula, part of
the neighbouring galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud. At temperatures of more than 1
million degrees, the Tarantula Nebula is a region of intense star formation with
supernova explosions blasting material out into the surrounding medium. The
expanding hot gas produces X-ray emissions as it collides with the interstellar
medium.
XMM Newton joins the US Chandra project (CERN
CourierSeptember 1999 p15) in studying the hottest, most active parts of the
universe, such as gamma-ray bursts, quasars and the X-ray background
radiation.
Another X-ray mission was not so lucky. The launch of the
Japanese-American Astro-E spacecraft in February was unsuccessful, with the satellite
not attaining the necessary altitude for a proper orbit.
