1st to 10th January 2024 - XPoSat SATELLITE LAUNCH Flashcards
What is XPoSat?
India’s first satellite dedicated to X-ray polarimetry, designed to study celestial objects in extreme conditions.
What is XPoSat’s primary mission?
Studying the polarization of X-rays emitted from celestial objects, especially black holes.
What two instruments does XPoSat use?
POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing)
Where was XPoSat built?
In Bengaluru, India, by the Raman Research Institute and UR Rao Satellite Centre.
What is X-ray polarimetry?
The measurement of the polarization (the direction of oscillation) of X-rays emitted from space objects.
Why is studying X-ray polarization important?
It gives insights into the extreme physical processes happening around objects like black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei.
What kind of information does polarization provide that regular X-ray observations can’t?
Information about the geometry, magnetic fields, and the emission processes occurring near the source of X-rays.
Is XPoSat the first satellite to study X-ray polarization?
No, it’s the world’s second dedicated X-ray polarimetry satellite. NASA’s IXPE was launched earlier.
Why is XPoSat’s mission significant?
It enhances global efforts in understanding X-ray polarization science and could provide new insights into the universe’s extreme phenomena.
What is the expected lifespan of the XPoSat mission?
Approximately 5 years.
