ATHENA: observing the hot and energetic universe with ESA's next generation x-ray observatory (Conference Presentation)

Kirpal Nandra

doi:10.1117/12.2312552

10 July 2018 ATHENA: observing the hot and energetic universe with ESA's next generation x-ray observatory (Conference Presentation)

Kirpal Nandra

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10699, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 106991D (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312552
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

The Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (Athena) is a large X-ray observatory which has been selected by the European Space Agency for launch as the second large mission of its Cosmic Vision program. Athena has been designed to address the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme, which aims to reveal hot gas structures and black holes throughout cosmic time, and determine their wider importance for the appearance of the observable Universe. Athena consists of a single, large aperture X-ray telescope based on Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) technology, focussing X-rays onto one of two instruments. The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) provides spatially-resolved high resolution spectroscopy, which can be used to map the dynamics and chemical composition of hot diffuse cluster gas in galaxy clusters, and to detect weak absorption and emission features needed to uncovercharacteristic of the hot components of the intergalactic medium. The Wide-Field Imager (WFI) provides spectrally-resolved imaging over a large field of view, as well as high count-rate capability, and will be used, for example, to perform deep and wide X-ray surveys necessary to uncover typical growing black holes in the early Universe at z>6. The mission concept is currently undergoing Phase A study for an eventual launch to the Sun-Earth L2 point using an Ariane 6 launcher. In this presentation, the status of the Athena project and and associated scientific activities will be reviewed.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Kirpal Nandra "ATHENA: observing the hot and energetic universe with ESA's next generation x-ray observatory (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 10699, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 106991D (10 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312552

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTATION

WATCH
PRESENTATION SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

KEYWORDS

X-rays

Observatories

X-ray telescopes

Space telescopes

X-ray technology

Galaxy groups and clusters

High energy astrophysics

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years