NASA
Active
Chandra X-ray Observatory
Launched: July 23, 1999
Overview
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is one of the world's most powerful X-ray telescopes. It has eight times greater resolution and is able to detect sources more than 20 times fainter than previous X-ray telescopes, opening new windows onto the hot high-energy universe.
Primary Objectives
- Study extremely hot regions of the universe
- Investigate black holes, quasars, and high-energy phenomena
- Examine supernova remnants and galaxy clusters
- Map dark matter in galaxy clusters
Notable Discoveries
- Provided direct evidence for the existence of dark matter
- Found evidence for a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way
- Observed the youngest known supernova in the Milky Way (G1.9+0.3)
- Detected X-ray jets from black holes extending millions of light-years
Technical Specifications
Size
13.8 m × 4.2 m
Weight
4,790 kg
Orbit
Highly elliptical, 16,000 km × 133,000 km
Mission Lifetime
20+ years (exceeded original plan)
