About

It is named after the Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. The observatory, which is one of NASA's Great Observatories, studies X-rays emitted by celestial objects such as black holes, supernovas, neutron stars, and galaxies. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory has provided valuable insights into various astrophysical phenomena. It has helped scientists understand the dynamics of black holes by capturing images of the gas falling into them. The observatory has also observed X-ray emissions from the remnants of supernovas, providing data about the elements created during stellar explosions. Furthermore, Chandra has revealed the presence of massive dark matter halos around galaxies, giving clues about the nature of dark matter. The observatory's ability to focus X-rays with high precision has allowed scientists to study objects in more detail than ever before. It has helped determine the precise location and motions of X-ray sources, aiding in the identification and characterization of new objects. It has also contributed to our understanding of the composition and properties of cosmic jets and other energetic phenomena. Chandra operates in an elliptical orbit around Earth, which allows it to avoid most of the radiation from the Earth's Van Allen belts. It carries several scientific instruments, including a high-resolution camera, a spectrograph, and detectors for imaging X-rays. The observatory has been crucial in advancing our knowledge of X-ray astronomy, with its data complementing observations made by telescopes operating at other wavelengths. Over the years, Chandra has made numerous important discoveries in the field of astrophysics. It has revolutionized our understanding of black holes, provided evidence for the existence of dark matter, and revealed the intricate dynamics of high-energy processes in the universe. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory continues to operate and contribute to our understanding of the cosmos.