Space Science Workshop '98 Newsletter

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Dr. Wallace Tucker fill everyone in on the particulars of the upcoming AXAF mission.

The next step - Dr. Wallace Tucker fills everyone in on the particulars of the upcoming AXAF mission.

The Science Mission of the AXAF Spacecraft

One of the evening presentations consisted of a presentation about the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) Project. The AXAF Project will serve as the third NASA Observatory for the investigation and study of the universe. The AXAF will be launched into orbit in January 1999.

The purpose of AXAF will be to collect high energy X-rays which are given off by various objects such as black holes, star clusters, and supernovas. The radiation energy given off by these objects which are extremely hot in temperature do not fall within the visible spectrum. Since x-rays do not penetrate the earth’s atmosphere, there is a need to place the AXAF observatory in orbit around the earth.

Scientists working on this project hope to gather information about the existence and composition of black holes, explosion of supernovae, and placement and distribution of galaxies throughout the universe. Dr. Tucker in his presentation commented on what is currently believed about these objects and the expected increase in information and knowledge that the AXAF will provide.

When the AXAF is launched in January 1999, it will have been renamed as there is currently a contest in the final stages of judging. The operations center for AXAF will be located at Cambridge, Massachusetts and will be operated by the AXAF Science Center(ASC) for NASA. The ASC will be responsible for mission planning, operations, and receiving data.