New X-ray Astronomy Satellite ASTRO-H Striving to Solve the Mysteries of the Universe

X-rays – the same type of radiation that’s used in medicine – are high-energy beams of light. Their ability to penetrate matter as dense as the human body allows us to observe celestial objects hidden by clouds of thick gas. X-rays are common in space, but their short wavelength makes them invisible to the naked eye. They are emitted from high-energy regions such as supernova explosions, black holes and clouds of hot gas in galaxies. X-ray astronomy is the study of their mysteries. Starting with the launch of HAKUCHO in 1979, Japan has launched five X-ray astronomy satellites, leading the world in the field. Japan’s sixth X-ray astronomy satellite, ASTRO-H, scheduled for launch in 2014, will carry instruments with the highest resolution to date, helping us search for an explanation of the structure and evolution of the universe.

Significance of X-ray Astronomy X-rays Reveal an Intense and Dynamic Universe Tadayuki Takahashi Project Manager, X-ray Astronomy Satellite ASTRO-H FULL STORY

Science Pursued by ASTRO-H Supernova Explosions: the Universe’s Giant Accelerators Yasunobu Uchiyama Panofsky Fellow, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University FULL STORY

Discovering the Relationship Between Black Holes and Galaxy Formation Kyoko Matsushita Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science Division I, Tokyo University of Science FULL STORY

Probing the Evolution of the Universe with Galaxy Clusters Tetsu Kitayama Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Toho University FULL STORY

Instruments with Super High Resolution ASTRO-H Outline FULL STORY

Spin-off Technologies from ASTRO-H FULL STORY

ASTRO-H Is Highly Anticipated Worldwide Hopes for New Images of the Universe Meg Urry Chair of the Department of Physics, Yale University FULL STORY

History of Japanese X-ray Astronomy Satellites FULL STORY

Related Link: ASTRO-H Project