Einstein Probe: Difference between revisions
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The '''Einstein Probe''' (EP) is an [[X-ray]] [[space telescope]] mission by [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] (CAS) in partnership with [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) and the [[Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics]] (MPE) dedicated to time-domain [[high-energy astrophysics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein Probe in a nutshell |url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/12/Einstein_Probe_in_a_nutshell |website=www.esa.int |access-date=28 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="factsheet">{{cite web |title=Einstein Probe factsheet |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Einstein_Probe_factsheet |website=www.esa.int |access-date=28 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The primary goals are "to discover high-energy transients and monitor variable objects".<ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein Probe Time Domain Astronomical Information Center |url=https://ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/ |website=ep.bao.ac.cn |access-date=28 December 2023}}</ref> |
The '''Einstein Probe''' (EP) is an [[X-ray]] [[space telescope]] mission by [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] (CAS) in partnership with [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) and the [[Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics]] (MPE) dedicated to time-domain [[high-energy astrophysics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein Probe in a nutshell |url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/12/Einstein_Probe_in_a_nutshell |website=www.esa.int |access-date=28 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="factsheet">{{cite web |title=Einstein Probe factsheet |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Einstein_Probe_factsheet |website=www.esa.int |access-date=28 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The primary goals are "to discover high-energy transients and monitor variable objects".<ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein Probe Time Domain Astronomical Information Center |url=https://ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/ |website=ep.bao.ac.cn |access-date=28 December 2023}}</ref> The telescope was launched by a [[Long March 2C]] rocket from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Centre]] in China, on 9 January 2024, at 07:03 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-lobster-eye-einstein-probe-to-unveil-mysteries-of-x-ray-universe/|title=China launches “lobster eye” Einstein Probe to unveil mysteries of X-ray universe|first=Andrew |last=Jones|date=January 9, 2024|website=spacenews.com}}</ref> |
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== Scientific objectives == |
== Scientific objectives == |
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== Launch == |
== Launch == |
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Einstein Probe was launched on 9 January 2024, at 07:03 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] by a [[Long March 2C]] rocket from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Centre]] in China, and successfully placed in [[low Earth orbit]] at an altitude of 600 km<ref name="esa-20240109">{{Cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/01/Einstein_Probe_lifts_off_on_a_mission_to_monitor_the_X-ray_sky|title=Einstein Probe lifts off on a mission to monitor the X-ray sky|website=www.esa.int}}</ref> and an inclination of 29 degrees, giving an orbital period of 96 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Technical details for satellite EINSTEIN PROBE |url=https://www.n2yo.com//satellite/?s=58753 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions}}</ref> |
Einstein Probe was launched on 9 January 2024, at 07:03 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] by a [[Long March 2C]] rocket from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Centre]] in China, and successfully placed in [[low Earth orbit]] at an altitude of 600 km<ref name="esa-20240109">{{Cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/01/Einstein_Probe_lifts_off_on_a_mission_to_monitor_the_X-ray_sky|title=Einstein Probe lifts off on a mission to monitor the X-ray sky|website=www.esa.int}}</ref> and an inclination of 29 degrees, giving an orbital period of 96 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Technical details for satellite EINSTEIN PROBE |url=https://www.n2yo.com//satellite/?s=58753 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions}}</ref> |
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== First results == |
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CAS reported that EP "performs as expected in the first month".<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Domain Astronomical Information Center |url=https://ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/cms/article/view?id=157 |website=ep.bao.ac.cn |access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> The probe detected fast [[X-ray transient]] EP240315a,<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Domain Astronomical Information Center |url=https://ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/cms/article/view?id=163 |website=ep.bao.ac.cn |access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> and [[bright X-ray flare]]s EP240305a<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Domain Astronomical Information Center |url=https://ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/cms/article/view?id=162 |website=ep.bao.ac.cn |access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> and EPW20240219aa.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Domain Astronomical Information Center |url=https://ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/cms/article/view?id=158 |website=ep.bao.ac.cn |access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[List of things named after Albert Einstein]] |
* [[List of things named after Albert Einstein]] |
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* [[X-ray astronomy]] |
* [[X-ray astronomy]] |
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* [[List of space telescopes#X-ray]] |
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* [[Lobster-eye optics]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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== Further reading == |
== Further reading == |
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[[Category:2024 in spaceflight]] |
[[Category:2024 in spaceflight]] |
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[[Category:Chinese Academy of Sciences]] |
[[Category:Chinese Academy of Sciences]] |
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[[Category:Chinese telescopes|E]] |
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<!--[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2024]]--> |
<!--[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2024]]--> |
Latest revision as of 15:18, 13 April 2024
Names | Aiyinsitan Tanzhen |
---|---|
Mission type | Space observatory |
Operator | CAS, ESA |
COSPAR ID | 2024-007A |
SATCAT no. | 58753 |
Website | ep |
Mission duration | 3 years (planned) 4 months and 27 days (ongoing) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Einstein Probe |
Bus | Phoenix-Eye-2 |
Manufacturer | CAS |
Launch mass | 1,450 kg (3,200 lb)[1] |
Dimensions | 3 × 3.4 m (9.8 × 11.2 ft) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 9 January 2024, 07:02 UTC[2] |
Rocket | Long March 2C[2] |
Launch site | Xichang LC-3 |
Contractor | CASC |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
Regime | Low Earth orbit |
Perigee altitude | 581 km |
Apogee altitude | 596 km |
Inclination | 29° |
Period | 96 minutes |
Instruments | |
Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT) | |
Einstein Probe Logo |
The Einstein Probe (EP) is an X-ray space telescope mission by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in partnership with European Space Agency (ESA) and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) dedicated to time-domain high-energy astrophysics.[3][4] The primary goals are "to discover high-energy transients and monitor variable objects".[5] The telescope was launched by a Long March 2C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China, on 9 January 2024, at 07:03 UTC.[6]
Scientific objectives[edit]
The primary science objectives are:[7]
- Identify inactive black holes to study how matter is precipitated there by detecting the transient events that take the form of X-ray flares;
- Detect the electromagnetic counterpart of events triggering gravitational waves such as the merger of neutron stars which will be discovered by the next generation of gravitational wave detectors;
- Carry out permanent monitoring of the entire sky to detect the various transient phenomena and carry out measurements of known variable X-ray sources.
Instruments[edit]
Einstein Probe carries 2 scientific instruments: the Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT), and the Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT).[8] Both telescopes utilize X-ray focusing optics.
- Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT): WXT has a new optics design, called "lobster-eye", that has wider field of view.[4][8] "Lobster-eye" optics was first tested by the Lobster Eye Imager for Astronomy (LEIA) mission, launched in 2022.[4][9][10] WXT consists of 12 Lobster-eye optics sensor modules, together creating a very large instantaneous field-of-view of 3600 square degrees. The nominal detection bandpass of WXT is 0.5~4.0 keV. Each module weighs 17 kg and has an electrical power consumption of just under 13 W. With the peripherals, the entire telescope weighs 251 kg and has a power consumption of 315 W.
- Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT): FXT has optics adopted from eROSITA, "the mirror module consists of 54 nested Wolter mirrors with a focal length of 1600 mm and an effective area of greater than 300 cm2 at 1.5 keV."[8]
The probe weights 1450 kg and is 3-by-3.4 metres.[4]
Launch[edit]
Einstein Probe was launched on 9 January 2024, at 07:03 UTC by a Long March 2C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China, and successfully placed in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 600 km[2] and an inclination of 29 degrees, giving an orbital period of 96 minutes.[11]
First results[edit]
CAS reported that EP "performs as expected in the first month".[12] The probe detected fast X-ray transient EP240315a,[13] and bright X-ray flares EP240305a[14] and EPW20240219aa.[15]
See also[edit]
- Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes
- List of things named after Albert Einstein
- X-ray astronomy
- List of space telescopes#X-ray
References[edit]
- ^ "Einstein Probe factsheet". ESA. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Einstein Probe lifts off on a mission to monitor the X-ray sky". www.esa.int.
- ^ "Einstein Probe in a nutshell". www.esa.int. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Einstein Probe factsheet". www.esa.int. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Einstein Probe Time Domain Astronomical Information Center". ep.bao.ac.cn. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (January 9, 2024). "China launches "lobster eye" Einstein Probe to unveil mysteries of X-ray universe". spacenews.com.
- ^ "Science Objectives Overview". Einstein Probe. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "EinsteinProbe". www.mpe.mpg.de. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Einstein Probe Time Domain Astronomical Information Center". ep.bao.ac.cn. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (November 25, 2022). "China tests novel 'lobster eye' X-ray telescope for observing cosmic events". Space.com.
- ^ "Technical details for satellite EINSTEIN PROBE". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Time Domain Astronomical Information Center". ep.bao.ac.cn. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Time Domain Astronomical Information Center". ep.bao.ac.cn. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Time Domain Astronomical Information Center". ep.bao.ac.cn. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Time Domain Astronomical Information Center". ep.bao.ac.cn. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
Further reading[edit]
- Yuan, Weimin; Zhang, Chen; Chen, Yong; Ling, Zhixing (2022). "The Einstein Probe Mission". Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics. pp. 1–30. arXiv:2209.09763. doi:10.1007/978-981-16-4544-0_151-1. ISBN 978-981-16-4544-0.
External links[edit]
- Official website at NAOC, CAS. Archived January 2, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- Einstein Probe at ESA.int
- Einstein Probe at MPE.MPG.de