x-ray astronomy

noun

1. the branch of astronomy that studies celestial objects by means of the x-rays emitted by them.

X-ray astronomy

noun

1. the branch of astronomy concerned with the detection and measurement of X-rays emitted by certain celestial bodies. As X-rays are absorbed by the atmosphere, satellites and rockets are used

x-ray astronomy

1. The study of celestial objects by measurement of the x-rays they emit. Because the Earth's atmosphere absorbs x-rays, x-ray detectors are usually carried into space on satellites. X-rays are emitted by high-energy objects such as active galactic nuclei, supernova remnants, x-ray binary stars, neutron stars, and the regions around black holes. Objects which do not produce their own x-rays can reflect radiation from nearby stars, making it possible to study the objects using x-ray astronomy; one notable example of this is the analysis of solar x-rays reflected by the Moon.

Other Words From

• x-ray astronomer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of x-ray astronomy¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The mission builds on the work done by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, NASA’s flagship X-ray astronomy mission, which launched in 1999 and has imaged the remnants of exploded stars, discovered black holes, and more.

From The Verge

The fourth concept, the Lynx X-ray Observatory, would be the most powerful x-ray astronomy facility ever built, offering intimate views of black holes, active galaxies and violent supernovae across cosmic time.

From Scientific American

The eROSITA team says this first image identifies twice as many x-ray sources as have previously been detected in 60 years of x-ray astronomy, and stretches four times farther out than the previous x-ray survey 3 decades ago.

From Science Magazine

"The data is truly stunning and I think what we're doing here will revolutionise X-ray astronomy," he told BBC News.

From BBC

Chandra was designed to solve a key question in x-ray astronomy: What is the makeup of the diffuse x-ray light that appears to be present in every direction of the cosmos—the so-called x-ray background?

From Scientific American