Vicky Kaspi
McGill University
Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology

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Introduction to X-ray astronomy
NuSTAR
Astro-H
NICER
Other missions

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The most energetic, violent objects in the Universe produce X-rays
 Black holes, neutron stars
 Active galaxies, galaxy clusters
The X-ray sky highly volatile: objects explode, appear/disappear daily
Extremes of:
 Gravity
 Density
 Temperature
 Magnetic field
Optical sky: calm, unchanging
Magnetic Explosions on a Neutron Star:
Less calm, highly variable

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Must be in space as X-rays cannot penetrate atmosphere
X-rays hard to focus!
Need special telescope geometries, materials
Chandra X-ray Telescope

Currently Flying X-ray Telescopes
XMM-Newton Chandra
MAXI
Swift
NuSTAR
Suzaku

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Stellar mass black holes and neutron star accreting from companion stars
Isolated neutron stars like pulsars & magnetars
Supernova remnants
Active galactic nuclei
Galaxy clusters
Next: High Energy Groove
NASA Outreach movie: made & performed by astronomers, factually accurate, artist & real data combined, clearly illustrates changing X-ray sky, note McGill’s contribution!

Currently Flying X-ray Telescopes
XMM-Newton Chandra
MAXI
Swift
NuSTAR
Launched June 2012
Suzaku

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Launched June 14, 2012
First focusing “hard” Xray telescope
 “hard” = high-energy
5-80 keV
 ~100X more sensitive than previous hard X-ray telescopes
 10-m focal length: long!
 How to launch??
Today
Yesterday

NuSTAR: Newest X-ray Telescope
 NuSTAR in Space  NuSTAR Pegasus Launch
For more on NuSTAR & its science goals see poster by Dr. Hongjun An

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Next major X-ray mission
Joint JAXA/NASA with international involvement including
Canadian Space Agency
Complex mission with
4 different instruments

 Multiple instruments:
 Soft X-ray Spectrometer
 0.3-12 keV, 1.7’ angular resolution, 7 eV@ 6 keV
 Hard X-ray Imagers
 5-80 keV, 1.7’ angular resolution, 1.5 keV @ 60 keV
 Soft X-ray Imager
 0.4-12 keV, 1.7’ angular resolution
 Soft Gamma-Ray Detector
 40-600 keV, non-imaging
All instruments co-aligned: observers get data from all detectors.

Takahashi et al. 2010

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Top recommendation of CSA-sponsored report
Ottawa-based NEPTEC building laser metrology system
CSA cost $6M
Canadians leading multiple SWGs
Canadians have access to
PV data and propose for Japanese time

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Large Scale Structure in the Universe, Dark
Matter & Dark Energy
 Galaxy Cluster dynamics, evolution
 Supermassive black hole evolution
Extreme Conditions in the Universe
 Motion of matter near black holes
 Shock acceleration, jets
 Neutron star spectra, binaries

NEW!
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Neutron Star Internal
Composition Explorer
Approved for construction Apr 5!
To be installed on
International Space
Station
Expected launch
December 2016
Deputy PI Z.
Arzoumanian,
McGill Physics Alum!
International Space Station
FRAM = Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanism
ELC = ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (power, telemetry)
Gendreau et al. 2012

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Low energy (0.2-12 keV) X-ray mission tailored for understanding neutron star structure, composition
Factor of ~2 more sensitive than current most sensitive XMM-Newton
Gendreau et al. 2012

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Unique capability combination:
 Sensitivity
 Time resolution
 Energy resolution
Will allow detailed observations of emission from neutron stars’ surfaces constraints on unknown properties of ultradense matter
Gendreau et al. 2012

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Upcoming:
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ASTROSAT
ASTROSAT – Indian mission with significant CSA involvement; 5 instruments; launch 2014?
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 e-ROSITA – German instrument to launch on Russian
Spectrum Roentgen Gamma mission in 2014; will do all sky survey in soft X-ray band
HMXT – 1 st Chinese astronomy satellite, non-imaging
20-200 keV; launch 2014-2016
ATHENA
Envisioned:
 ATHENA – ESA Advanced Telescope for High-Energy
Astrophysics; formerly Constellation-X, Xeus, IXO
 high throughput (3 m
2
) X-ray spectroscopy + WFI
 LOFT – ESA Large Observatory for X-ray Timing
 LAD 12 m
2 for timing ; WFM large FOV eRosita
LOFT

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Near-term X-ray astronomy healthy
 Multiple major missions flying, several interesting upcoming missions planned
Long-term situation unclear:
 2 major ESA concepts being promoted
 Good news: CSA already cooperates with ESA
 Bad news: CSA presently in state of flux
 No major NASA X-ray mission under development
 US budgetary constraints problematic
 NASA “Physics of the Cosmos” Program charged with identifying next X-ray advance…
Stay tuned!