The Imaging x-ray polarimetry explorer (IXPE) at last!

0582488 - ASÚ 2024 RIV US eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Soffitta, P. - Baldini, L. - Baumgartner, W. - Dovčiak, Michal … Total 96 authors
The Imaging x-ray polarimetry explorer (IXPE) at last!
UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy /23./. Bellingham: SPIE, 2023, č. článku 1267803. Proceedings of SPIE, 12678. ISBN 978-151066570-5. E-ISSN 1996-756X.
[UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy /23./. San Diego (US), 20.08.2023-25.08.2023]
Institutional support: RVO:67985815
Keywords : astronomy * detectors * mirrors
OECD category: Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)

IXPE, the first observatory dedicated to imaging x-ray polarimetry, was launched on Dec 9, 2021 and is operating successfully. A partnership between NASA and the Italian Space Agencey (ASI) IXPE features three x-ray telescopes each comprised of a mirror module assembly with a polarization sensitive detector at its focus. An extending boom was deployed on orbit to provide the necessary 4 m focal length. A three-axis-stabilized spacecraft provides power, attitude determination and control, and commanding. After one year of observation IXPE has measured statistically significant polarization from almost all the classes of celestial sources that emit X-rays. In the following we describe the IXPE mission, reporting on its performance after 1.5 year of operations. We show the main astrophysical results which are outstanding for a SMEX mission.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0350552